# Fabrication and Evaluation of Screen-Printed Electrodes on Chitosan Films for Cardiac Patch Applications with In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

## TL;DR

Researchers developed a biocompatible cardiac patch using screen-printed electrodes on chitosan film, which promotes heart tissue repair in lab and animal tests.

## Contribution

A novel cardiac patch using screen-printed electrodes on chitosan film is introduced, showing potential for myocardial repair.

## Key findings

- The chitosan–SPE patch increased cardiac-specific gene expression in stem cells, indicating cardiogenic differentiation.
- In vivo tests showed the patch integrated well with tissue and improved ventricular wall thickness in a rat MI model.
- The patch demonstrated mechanical stability and electrochemical performance suitable for cardiac applications.

## Abstract

Myocardial infarction (MI) remains one of the most common cardiovascular diseases and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In recent years, natural polymeric patches have attracted increasing attention as a promising therapeutic platform for myocardial tissue repair. This study explored the fabrication and evaluation of screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) on chitosan film as a novel platform for cardiac patch applications. Chitosan is a biodegradable and biocompatible natural polymer that provides an ideal substrate for SPEs, providing mechanical stability and promoting cell adhesion. Silver ink was employed to enhance electrochemical performance, and the electrodes exhibited strong adhesion and structural integrity under wet conditions. Mechanical testing and swelling ratio analysis were conducted to assess the patch’s physical robustness and aqueous stability. Silver ink was employed to enhance electrochemical performance, which was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry. In vitro, electrical stimulation through the chitosan–SPE patch significantly increased the expression of cardiac-specific genes (GATA-4, β-MHC, troponin I) in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), indicating early cardiogenic differentiation potential. In vivo, the implantation of the chitosan–SPE patch in a rat MI model demonstrated good tissue integration, preserved myocardial structure, and enhanced ventricular wall thickness, indicating that the patch has the potential to serve as a functional cardiac scaffold. These findings support the feasibility of screen-printed electrodes fabricated on chitosan film substrates as a cost-effective and scalable platform for cardiac repair, offering a foundation for future applications in cardiac tissue engineering.