Myocardial tissue engineering (MTE) aims to enhance patient longevity after cardiac damage by supporting or restoring heart function. Key strategies involve engineered ‘vehicles’ like porous scaffolds or dense patches made from natural or synthetic polymers, which facilitate cell transportation to the affected heart region and support their integration. This comprehensive analysis features contributions from leading experts, presenting the latest advancements in MTE. It explores various aspects, including cell sources, specific tissue engineering techniques, and biomaterials. Numerous cell types are considered for therapy within MTE, such as autologous bone marrow-derived or cardiac progenitors, as well as embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells, each with unique advantages and drawbacks. The text examines a wide range of biomaterials, focusing on their biocompatibility with cardiac cells, mechanical properties, and degradation behavior in vivo and in vitro. Despite significant research progress, many questions remain unanswered, and the book highlights areas needing further investigation. Additionally, it provides insights into clinical trials and potential novel cell sources for MTE therapies.
