Advances in Injectable Hydrogel Strategies for Heart Failure Treatment

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Heart failure (HF) is a global health crisis, with myocardial infarction (MI) being a leading cause.
• Current HF treatments have limitations in long-term cardiac functional stabilization.
• Injectable hydrogels present a minimally invasive tissue engineering strategy for cardiac repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the pathophysiological mechanisms of HF post-MI.
• To summarize injectable hydrogels as a potential therapeutic solution for HF.
• To discuss various hydrogel-based therapies and their mechanisms of action.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on HF pathophysiology and hydrogel-based therapies.
• Categorization of hydrogels based on function: mechanical support, decellularized ECM, biotherapeutic delivery, and conductive properties.
• Emphasis on the mechanisms driving hydrogel-mediated cardiac tissue regeneration.

Main Results:

• Hydrogels provide mechanical support to infarcted myocardium.
• Hydrogels act as carriers for drugs, bioactive factors, and cells, enhancing the cardiac microenvironment.
• Different hydrogel types (e.g., ECM, biotherapeutic-loaded, conductive) show potential for myocardial regeneration.

Conclusions:

• Injectable hydrogel therapy is a promising approach for treating HF post-MI.
• Further research into hydrogel limitations and future prospects is needed to inspire novel therapeutic strategies.
• Hydrogel-based treatments offer a potential pathway to improve long-term cardiac function and regeneration.