CorMatrix ECM for Cardiac Tissue Repair

Marc Gerdisch, MD, FACS, FACC  Chief of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at the Franciscan St. Francis Health Heart Center, Indianapolis, Indiana

“CorMatrix is our next generation tool for repair of intracardiac structures. The ability to regrow and remodel makes it superior to inert patches that ultimately promote inflammation and scarring."
Download the product brochure here.

Repair of intracardiac tissue can be very difficult; it is needed to repair damaged cardiac structures or during procedures such as valve repair when the prosthetic valve available does not fit properly.

Until recently the repair and regrowth of cardiac tissue was thought not to occur and was regarded as a “terminally differentiated” tissue. This concept was challenged with the first report of implanted extracellular matrix regenerating right ventricular and right atrial muscle in 1996. Click here for the 1996 SIS Purdue Symposia Abstract.

CorMatrix ECM is ideal for intracardiac surgery based on its ability to remodel tissue. In cases such as atrial septal defect repair, CorMatrix ECM can effectively close a hole and generate new, healthy tissue in lieu of using objects such as nitinol plugs or synthetic patches. Because the tissue is remodeled, there is no foreign material left behind as is the case with more traditional repair materials.

The ECM composition provides the right environment for native cells to be recruited to the area of repair. Over time the ECM is remodeled and resorbed as new tissue develops. CorMatrix ECM is routinely used for:

• Suture line reinforcing
• Buttressing for soft tissue reapproximation
• Pledgets
• Aortic cannulation sites
• Cardioplegia cannulation sites
• Right atrium cannulation sites
• Aortotomy reinforcement
• Ventricular reinforcement
• Septal defect repair

Septal Repair Case Report
Institution: St. Francis Heart Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
Surgeon: Marc Gerdisch, MD