Nature Communications (Jan 2024)

Two way workable microchanneled hydrogel suture to diagnose, treat and monitor the infarcted heart

  • Fangchao Xue,
  • Shanlan Zhao,
  • Hao Tian,
  • Haoxiang Qin,
  • Xiaochen Li,
  • Zhao Jian,
  • Jiahui Du,
  • Yanzhao Li,
  • Yanhong Wang,
  • Lin Lin,
  • Chen Liu,
  • Yongning Shang,
  • Lang He,
  • Malcolm Xing,
  • Wen Zeng

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-45144-y
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 1
pp. 1 – 14

Abstract

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Abstract During myocardial infarction, microcirculation disturbance in the ischemic area can cause necrosis and formation of fibrotic tissue, potentially leading to malignant arrhythmia and myocardial remodeling. Here, we report a microchanneled hydrogel suture for two-way signal communication, pumping drugs on demand, and cardiac repair. After myocardial infarction, our hydrogel suture monitors abnormal electrocardiogram through the mobile device and triggers nitric oxide on demand via the hydrogel sutures’ microchannels, thereby inhibiting inflammation, promoting microvascular remodeling, and improving the left ventricular ejection fraction in rats and minipigs by more than 60% and 50%, respectively. This work proposes a suture for bidirectional communication that acts as a cardio-patch to repair myocardial infarction, that remotely monitors the heart, and can deliver drugs on demand.