Bioresorbable adhesion barrier for reducing the severity of postoperative cardiac adhesions: Focus on REPEL-CV®

Treatment of a number of congenital heart defects often necessitates staged surgical intervention. In addition, substantial improvements in postoperative cardiac care and more liberal use of biological valve substitutes have resulted in many adult patients surviving to become potential candidates for reoperations to repair or replace valves or to undergo additional revascularization procedures. In all these scenarios, surgeons are confronted with cardiac adhesions, leading to an increased surgical risk. Thus, bioresorbable adhesion barriers had become of increasing interest because they are easy to use, and safe and effective. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which REPEL-CV(®) prevents adhesive processes, as well as the development, design, and materials used, and also summarizes efficacy studies, clinical data, safety, and current role in therapy.