Patent ID: 8877224

Claim:
A method of treating atrial fibrillation in a subject, comprising: providing an extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, said ECM composition being in the form of a biodegradable sponge composition, said ECM composition comprising acellular ECM from a mammalian tissue source, said mammalian tissue source comprising small intestine submucosa (SIS), said ECM comprising proteoglycans, transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), said ECM further comprising a statin, said statin being linked to said ECM, wherein, when said ECM composition is administered to a mammalian heart, said statin interacts with said ECM to restrict RhoA activation and reduce matrix metalloprotinase (MMP) production, whereby said ECM composition modulates electrical activity in the heart of said subject; and delivering said ECM composition directly to cardiac tissue of said subject, wherein said ECM composition reduces incidence of atrial fibrillation.