Hydrogels for cardiac tissue engineering

Cardiac failure is a critical condition that results in life-threatening consequences. Due to a limited number of organ donors, tissue engineering has emerged to generate functional tissue constructs and provide an alternative mean to repair and regenerate damaged heart tissues. In this paper, we review the emerging directions associated with cardiac tissue engineering approaches. In particular, we discuss the use of hydrogels in repair and regeneration of damaged hearts. Because of their tissue-like biological, chemical and mechanical properties, hydrogels represent a potentially powerful material for directing cells into functional cardiac tissues. Herein, we will summarize both traditional and next-generation hydrogels with conductive, elastomeric and oxygen-releasing capabilities that can promote vascularization and stem cell differentiation to form properly functioning cardiac tissues.