Cardiac tissue
Cardiac tissue refers to the specialized muscle tissue that makes up the walls of the heart and enables it to contract and pump blood throughout the body. Composed primarily of cardiomyocytes (heart muscle cells), connective tissue, and supporting vascular networks, cardiac tissue plays a vital role in maintaining circulation, oxygen delivery, and metabolic balance across organ systems.
Unlike many other muscle types, cardiac muscle is highly structured and rhythmic. The cells are tightly interconnected through structures called intercalated discs, which allow for synchronized contractions and continuous beating without fatigue. Because of this unique electrical and mechanical behavior, damage to cardiac tissue—such as from a heart attack or congenital defect—can lead to lasting complications and is often difficult to fully repair.
Studying cardiac tissue outside the body helps researchers understand how the heart responds to stress, aging, genetic mutation, disease, or therapeutic intervention. In recent years, scientists have developed engineered cardiac tissues, also known as cardiac patches or constructs, that mimic native heart tissue. These bioengineered models are used in drug screening, disease modeling, and regenerative medicine research.
Some real-world applications involving cardiac tissue include:
- Cardiotoxicity testing for new pharmaceuticals
- Cardiac patch development for myocardial repair
- Congenital heart disease studies using patient-derived cells
- Cardiac rhythm research related to arrhythmias or pacing therapies
- Heart failure modeling to test new treatment strategies
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