New Cardiac Patch Regenerates Damaged Hearts

A new “reinforced cardiac patch” (RCPatch) from ETH Zurich could revolutionize heart repair after a heart attack—not just sealing damage, but regenerating it. The 3D‑printed patch combines a sealing mesh, a structural scaffold, and a living hydrogel with heart cells. Tested successfully in pigs, it withstood real blood pressure, closed defects, and began integrating with the heart tissue. It’s a promising step toward patches that heal—not just patch up—human hearts.