Bioengineered Heart Muscle Patch

Published 2025-04-11

?In a landmark study published in Nature, researchers from the University Medical Center Göttingen and the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, in collaboration with the German Center for Cardiovascular Research, have developed a stem cell-derived heart patch that shows promise in treating advanced heart failure. This engineered heart muscle (EHM) patch, composed of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes embedded in a collagen hydrogel, was successfully implanted in a 46-year-old woman with severe heart failure. The procedure demonstrated improved heart function and increased heart wall thickness without adverse effects. Preclinical trials in rhesus macaques also showed significant cardiac improvement, paving the way for broader clinical applications. This innovative approach offers a potential alternative to heart transplants, addressing the limitations of donor organ availability and providing new hope for patients with end-stage heart disease.