Fibrin Hydrogel Layer-Anchored Pericardial Matrix Prevents Epicardial Adhesion in the Severe Heart Adhesion-Induced...

Postoperative adhesion is a very common and serious complication that occurs frequently in cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a fibrin hydrogel layer-anchored decellularized pericardial matrix in preventing pericardial adhesions in a miniature pig model with a myocardial injury. Fibrin hydrogel layer-anchored decellularized pericardial matrix was prepared by spraying a mixture of fibrinogen and thrombin on a fibrinogen-doped decellularized pericardium. Cardiac injury was generated by abrading and desiccating the epicardial surface of a miniature pig to induce severe postoperative adhesions. The adhesion between the epicardial surface and fibrin hydrogel layer-anchored decellularized pericardial matrix in three different regions (left outer, front, and right outer) was evaluated macroscopically one month after surgery. The fibrin hydrogel layer-anchored decellularized pericardial matrix showed significantly less adhesion than an autologous pericardium (0.2 ± 0.7 in DPM-FHG0.5 and 0.4 ± 0.8 in DPM-FHG1, p < 0.01) and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) (1.6 ± 0.5, p < 0.05). The fibrin hydrogel concentration had no effect on preventing postoperative adhesion. A thinner fibrin hydrogel layer was observed on the decellularized pericardial matrix one month after surgery; however, the inside of the matrix was filled with fibrin hydrogel. Fibrin hydrogel layer-anchored decellularized pericardial matrix prevented postoperative epicardial adhesions in a miniature pig model. Our findings suggest that pericardial closure using a fibrin hydrogel layer-anchored decellularized pericardial matrix is a promising method for preventing adverse outcomes in reoperative surgeries.