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Functional hydrogels in cardiovascular therapy: Design, applications and clinical challenges (Review)
Zheming Yang1, Jiayin Li1, Lingxiao Zhao2
1State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research Institute, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China.
International Journal of Molecular Medicine
|June 5, 2026
Summary
Hydrogels show promise for treating cardiovascular disease (CVD) by repairing damaged tissue. Future hydrogel designs aim for adaptive, personalized therapies integrated with advanced treatments and medical devices.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Regenerative Therapy
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading global cause of death, with current treatments having limited tissue repair capacity.
- Hydrogels, as 3D biocompatible networks, offer potential for cardiovascular tissue repair and regeneration.
- This review examines functional hydrogels for CVD treatment, covering their preparation, applications, challenges, and future directions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the preparation, applications, challenges, and future perspectives of functional hydrogels for cardiovascular disease (CVD) treatment.
- To highlight the potential of hydrogels as scaffolds and carriers for cell and drug delivery in cardiovascular regenerative medicine.
- To discuss the evolution of hydrogel systems towards advanced, personalized therapeutic strategies for CVD.
Main Methods:
- Review of natural polymers, synthetic polymers, and composite hydrogel systems.
- Analysis of stimuli-responsive hydrogels for on-demand therapeutic delivery.
- Examination of hydrogel applications in myocardial repair, vascular regeneration, heart valve repair, and heart failure management.
Main Results:
- Hydrogels offer diverse properties: natural polymers (biocompatible, weak mechanics), synthetic polymers (tunable, less bioactive), and composites (combined, complex).
- Stimuli-responsive hydrogels enable controlled drug and cell delivery for targeted CVD therapies.
- Hydrogels show potential in myocardial repair, vascular regeneration, heart valve repair, and heart failure management.
Conclusions:
- Hydrogels represent a promising platform for cardiovascular regenerative therapy, offering versatile applications.
- Clinical translation faces challenges including safety, biocompatibility, mechanical/electrical integration, thrombogenicity, manufacturing, and regulatory approval.
- Future hydrogel development will focus on stimuli-responsive, self-regulating, adaptive, and personalized designs, integrating with advanced therapies and medical devices.
