Application Prospect of Using Injectable Hydrogels in the Treatment of Refractory Angina

In recent years, the prevalence of obstructive coronary artery disease has continued to rise. Despite the widespread application of strategies such as intensive pharmacotherapy, coronary artery bypass grafting, or percutaneous coronary intervention, a subset of patients still experience recurrent angina symptoms, which severely impacts their quality of life. For such cases of refractory angina (RA), researchers domestically and internationally have explored therapeutic approaches such as spinal cord stimulation, transmyocardial laser revascularization, and sympathectomy. However, existing studies are largely limited to small-scale clinical trials, and their clinical translation still faces challenges due to insufficient validation of safety and efficacy. Injectable hydrogels, as functional materials with hydrophilic three-dimensional network structures, demonstrate unique advantages in the treatment of RA. They can not only provide mechanical support but also serve as controlled-release carriers for drugs and proteins, and synergize with gene therapy and stem cell therapy to promotemyocardial tissue repair. This article systematically reviews the application prospects of injectable hydrogels in the treatment of RA, aiming to provide insights for future therapeutic strategies.