A Minimally Invasive, Translational Method to Deliver Hydrogels to the Heart Through the Pericardial Space

• Authors: Jose R. Garcia, Georgia Institute of Technology; Peter F. Campbell, Innovatië LifeSciences; Gautam Kumar, Emory University; Jonathan J Langberg, Emory University; Liliana Cesar, Testing and Training Laboratories, Inc.; Lanfang Wang, Emory University; Andres J. García, Georgia Institute of Technology; Rebecca D. Levit, Emory University
• Journal Title: JACC: Basic to Translational Science
• Volume: Volume 2, Number 5
• Publisher: Elsevier: Creative Commons Licenses | 2017-10-01, Pages 601-609
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacbts.2017.06.003
• Subjects: Engineering, Mechanical; Health Sciences, General
• Keywords: CVD, cardiovascular disease; PEG, polyethylene glycol; biomaterials; device; hydrogel; miRNA, micro-ribonucleic acid; pericardial delivery

Abstract

Biomaterials are a new treatment strategy for cardiovascular diseases but are difficult to deliver to the heart in a safe, precise, and translatable way. We developed a method to deliver hydrogels to the epicardium through the pericardial space. Our device creates a temporary compartment for hydrogel delivery and gelation using anatomic structures. The method minimizes risk to patients from embolization, thrombotic occlusion, and arrhythmia. In pigs there were no clinically relevant acute or subacute adverse effects from pericardial hydrogel delivery, making this a translatable strategy to deliver biomaterials to the heart.