Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
Sterile Pericarditis in Aachener Minipigs As a Model for Atrial Myopathy and Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: September 24, 2021
Targeted Intra-Atrial Delivery of GMP-Grade Human Extracellular Vesicles Prevents Inflammation-Driven Postoperative
Noreen Ahmed1, Sandrine Parent2, Charlotte A René3
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Rhythm Biotherapeutics Inc, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract:
Targeted intra-atrial delivery of GMP-grade human cardiac extracellular vesicles (EVs) was evaluated for prevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF). EVs were manufactured under serum-free, xenogen-free GMP-compatible conditions and tested in rat and porcine sterile pericarditis models. In rats, intra-atrial EV delivery resulted in selective atrial retention without systemic toxicity. In pigs, EV administration was technically feasible, well tolerated, and completely prevented spontaneous AF while significantly reducing inducible AF. EV therapy also attenuated atrial inflammation and fibrosis without adverse end-organ effects. These findings support localized cardiac EV therapy as a first-in-human-ready, disease-modifying biologic strategy for postoperative AF prevention.
