Bioabsorbable Patch Repairs Myocardial Tissue

A regenerative bovine pericardium patch promotes the body’s own cells to gather on its surface and become one with the tissue around it.

The CardioCel cardiovascular tissue patch is intended for use in the repair of congenital heart disease (CHD) and the repair of cardiovascular and/or acquired heart abnormalities; the patch may also be used to repair leaking heart valves in pediatric patients. The technology is based on the proprietary ADAPT tissue engineering process, which aids endogenous stem cells and other cells to regenerate and repair damaged tissue. Histology data has shown that after eight months, significant new tissue growth occurs on both sides of the implanted CardioCel patch, consisting of collagen and cells typically found in a healthy cardiovascular healing process, as well as in heart valves.

A recent study showed no echocardiographic evidence of macroscopic calcification of the CardioCel implant or molecular measurement of extractable calcium. In fact, the active CardioCel tissue had 40% less calcium than the control native autologous tissue. The CardioCel cardiovascular patch is a product of Allied Healthcare Group (Brisbane, Australia), and has received the European community CE marking of approval. The company is also evaluating the ADAPT process for use in other surgical applications such as hernia repair, pelvic floor repair, and orthopedic soft tissue repair.

“The CardioCel patch material appears to enable tissue regeneration, opening up the possibility for CardioCel treated valves to regenerate without additional intervention or assistance,” said Lee Rodne, managing director of Allied Healthcare Group. “CardioCel’s potential to prevent additional revision surgeries for patients later in life will also be of enormous benefit to the patient community.”

CHDs are anomalies in the structure of the heart and great vessels, which are present at birth. Many types of heart defects exist, most of which either obstruct blood flow in the heart or vessels near it. Heart defects are among the most common birth defects and are the leading cause of birth defect-related deaths. Approximately 9 people in 1,000 are born with a CHD, but many defects do not require treatment, while other more complex CHDs require medication or surgery.

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Allied Healthcare Group