Novel injectable alginate biomaterial attenuates progressive infarct expansion and preserves left ventricular systolic and diastolic function late after myocardial infarction

Cessation or reversal of progressive left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is a major aim of heart failure therapy. We developed a cross-linked concentrated alginate solution, which upon solidification in tissue becomes a hydrogel. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that an injection of this novel alginate solution mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM) into an old scar tissue, late after myocardial infarction (MI), will provide physical and biological scaffolding, will promote tissue rejuvenation and will prevent progressive LV dysfunction.