Conductive MXene-Based Cardiac Patches: Topographical Approaches to Enhance Cardiomyocyte Function and Address...

Cardiac tissue engineering still faces significant challenges in restoring electrical and mechanical function after myocardial infarction. Conventional biomaterials often lack the necessary conductivity and topographical guidance. This review examines the potential of MXene-based nanomaterials as emerging candidates in advancing cardiac patch technology. As two-dimensional transition metal carbides/nitrides, MXenes offer exceptional electrical conductivity, mechanical flexibility, and tunable surface chemistry that enable electromechanical integration with myocardial tissue. We analyze how MXene-mediated platforms enhance cardiomyocyte alignment, maturation, and synchronized contraction through integrated topographical cues and electrical coupling. Beyond their conductive properties, MXenes exhibit multifunctional capabilities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects that create a regenerative microenvironment. Compared to existing conductive biomaterials, MXenes demonstrate distinct properties that may facilitate restoration of electrical conduction across infarcted regions while providing mechanical support. This review identifies key translational challenges and outlines future directions for developing intelligent cardiac patches, emphasizing the convergence of MXene technology with personalized medicine approaches. The insights presented here position MXenes as promising biomaterials requiring further investigation that bridge critical gaps in cardiac tissue engineering and offer solutions for myocardial regeneration.