Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41975418›Full record

SynthesisJournal of translational medicine2026

Biological tissue engineering for Fontan failure using decellularized extracellular matrix: a systematic review.

Elizaveta Polyakova, Marlon J A de Haan, Janine M van Gils, Boudewijn P T Kruithof, Mark Hazekamp, Arno A W Roest, Jolanda J Wentzel, Marie-Jose Goumans, Daniel Biermann, Marco C DeRuiter and 2 more

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of translational medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Elizaveta Polyakova *Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands.
Marlon J A de Haan *Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology) & Einthoven Laboratory of Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands.
Janine M van GilsDepartment of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands.
Boudewijn P T KruithofHeart-Lung Center, Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands.
Mark HazekampHeart-Lung Center, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands.
Arno A W RoestDepartment of Pediatric Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands.
Jolanda J WentzelDepartment of Cardiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Marie-Jose GoumansDepartment of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands.
Daniel BiermannDepartment of Congenital and Pediatric Heart Surgery, Children's Heart Clinic, University Heart & Vascular Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
Marco C DeRuiterDepartment of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands.
Marten A Engelse *Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology) & Einthoven Laboratory of Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands.
Monique R M Jongbloed *Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands. m.r.m.jongbloed@lumc.nl.ORCID 0000-0002-9132-0418

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFunctional univentricular heart disease is the most severe congenital condition, managed by Fontan surgery, which is life-sustaining by creating a non-contractile conduit yet limited by long-term complications. Decellularized ECM (dECM) scaffolds reseeded with contractile human cells offer a promising solution, but key factors for such a biological tube remain undefined.

aimTo evaluate the potential of cardiac dECM as a scaffold for recellularization in the development of a contractile Fontan conduit.

methodsA systematic review was performed of studies identified in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library on human or porcine cardiac tissue engineering. Decellularization outcome parameters included efficiency of DNA removal, ECM preservation, and cytocompatibility; recellularization parameters focused on cell viability, co-culture strategies, maturation, and contractility.

resultsFifty-eight studies on decellularization of porcine or human cardiac tissue were included; 13 also investigated recellularization. Most studies reported more than 90% reduced DNA content and preserved ECM architecture, though quantitative ECM analyses and toxicity assessments were not often reported. Recellularization with cardiomyocyte (like) cells showed high viability, especially in slice monocultures. Co-culture with other cell types improved organization and sarcomere maturation. Functionality assessment in most studies showed spontaneous and synchronized contractions however remaining under normal physiological values.

conclusionCardiac dECM scaffolds hold promise for contractile Fontan conduits; however, standardized decellularization protocols, enhanced recellularization strategies, and integration of vascular and supportive cells are needed to advance clinical translation.

Indexed as

Decellularized Extracellular MatrixExtracellular MatrixFontan ProcedureTissue EngineeringAnimalsHumansTissue ScaffoldsDecellularized Extracellular MatrixCongenital Heart DiseaseDecellularized extracellular matrixFontan conduitHiPSC-derived cardiomyocytesRecellularizationTissue engineeringUniventricular heart disease

Identifiers

PMID41975418
PMCPMC13088824

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.