Scaffold Delivery of Neonatal Cardiomyocyte Results in Prolonged Cellular Survival and Improvements in Left Ventricular Function in Rats with Chronic Heart Failure

Tissue engineered scaffolds used for cell delivery enhance improvements in cardiac function by providing structural and nutrient support for transplanted cell survival, integration, and re-population of injured tissues. Previously, our laboratory reported improvements in left ventricular (LV) function in rats with chronic heart failure (CHF) after placement of a neonatal cardiomyocyte seeded 3-dimensional fibroblast construct (NCM-3DFC). The current report focuses on NCM survival and LV improvements out to 7 weeks post NCM-3DFC implantation.