Smart heart patch cuts damage by 50% after major heart attack

MIT engineers have developed a flexible hydrogel heart patch that significantly improves recovery after a major heart attack by delivering multiple drugs in a precisely timed sequence directly to damaged cardiac tissue. Tested successfully in rats, the patch reduced tissue damage by 50% and increased survival rates by 33%, outperforming traditional intravenous drug delivery. The patch releases three drugs—neuregulin-1 to prevent cell death, VEGF to promote blood vessel growth, and GW788388 to reduce scar formation—over specific intervals aligned with the heart’s natural healing process. The patch is made from biodegradable microparticles embedded in a thin, flexible hydrogel that can be placed on the heart during open-heart surgery. This approach aims to restore heart function more effectively than current treatments, which often fail to regenerate damaged tissue. The hydrogel safely dissolves over time without impairing heart movement. The researchers plan to conduct further testing in larger animal models and explore integrating the timed-release technology into stents for less invasive treatment options. The study