Electroconductive Graphene-Containing Polymeric Patch: A Promising Platform for Future Cardiac Repair

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The complications associated with MI can lead to the formation of nonconductive fibrous scar tissues. Despite the great improvement in electroconductive biomaterials to increase the physiological function of bio-engineered cardiac tissues in vivo, there are still several challenges in creating a suitable scaffold with appropriate mechanical and electrical properties. In the current study, a highly hydrophilic fibrous scaffold composed of polycaprolactone/chitosan/polypyrrole (PCP) and combined with functionalized graphene, to provide superior conductivity and a stronger mechanical cardiopatch, is presented. The PCP/graphene (PCPG) patches were optimized to show mechanical and conductive properties close to the native myocardium. Also, the engineered patches showed strong capability as a drug delivery system. Heparin, an anticoagulant drug, was loaded within the fibrous patches, and the adsorption of the bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein was evaluated. The optimized cardiopatch shows great potential to be used to provide mechanical support and restore electromechanical coupling at the site of MI to maintain a normal cardiac function.