Chapter 1 - Cardiac Tissue Engineering: A Pathway for Repair

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally, accounting for 31.5% of deaths worldwide. The widespread (and growing) prevalence of CVD and the inadequacy of the adult human heart to regenerate on its own after a major ischemic event calls for the development of tissue regeneration strategies to facilitate and support cardiomyocyte maturation and function in vivo. This chapter explores regenerative therapies of graded levels of complexity beginning with cell transplantation and ending with a full thickness graft with perfusable vasculature.