Bovine Pericardium Scaffold as a Critical Tool for Cardiac Surgery with Mesenchymal Stem Cell Seeding: A Narrative Review.

This review explores the significance of pericardial dissection in cardiac surgery for managing congenital heart disease (CHD). The procedure often results in intrapericardial adhesion formation, impacting outcomes and increasing hospitalization costs. The focus is on the bovine pericardium (BP) scaffold and its compatibility with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seeding. Various pericardial substitutes have been utilized to achieve complete closure without inducing rapid cardiac constriction. Successful substitutes must prevent adhesions between the chest wall/lung and pericardium, minimizing the risk of injury during resternotomy. The review emphasizes the promising application of BP scaffolds, particularly when seeded with MSCs, facilitating differentiation into mesothelial cells. Different methodologies are discussed for optimal MSCs seeding in BP scaffolds, suggesting a positive outlook for expanding the use of bovine pericardium in cardiac surgery. The review highlights the extensive use of bovine pericardium as a xenograft in vascular applications, supported by theoretical evidence, with potential for further enhancement through MSC seeding, indicating promising prospects for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine advancements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]