Injectable conductive hydrogel restores conduction through ablated myocardium

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cardiovascular Research
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Substrate-related arrhythmias are treated with ablation or drugs targeting myocardial conduction.
• Heterogeneous myocardium and disrupted electrical pathways contribute to arrhythmias.
• Carbon nanotubes offer potential for novel, personalizable arrhythmia therapies through tissue homogenization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a nanocellulose carbon nanotube-conductive hydrogel for restoring myocardial conduction.
• To assess the hydrogel's ability to homogenize conduction in ablated cardiac tissue.

Main Methods:

• Developed a shear-thinning conductive hydrogel with optimized viscosity.
• Utilized ex vivo perfused canine hearts for experimental study.
• Performed electroanatomic mapping before and after radiofrequency ablation and hydrogel injection.
• Assessed hydrogel distribution via gross histology.

Main Results:

• The conductive hydrogel exhibited a direct current conductivity of 4.3 × 10⁻¹ S/cm.
• Isochronal mapping showed restored conduction through ablated regions after hydrogel injection.
• Gross examination confirmed hydrogel retention within the myocardial tissue.

Conclusions:

• This study demonstrates the potential of injectable conductive hydrogel to restore conduction in acutely disrupted myocardium.
• The findings support the use of this hydrogel as a proof-of-concept for personalized arrhythmia treatment.
• Further in vivo studies are needed to evaluate long-term retention and biocompatibility.