Apparatus and methods for closing an access hole in a heart. The apparatus may include a heart plug that may include an absorbent mass that applies pressure to myocardial tissue in the access hole by absorption of fluid. The mass may have a length selected to match a length of the hole or to exceed the length of the hole by a predetermined amount. The mass may have an unexpanded state. The mass may have an expanded state. The expanded state may be a state in which the plug is partially saturated or saturated with a fluid. The mass may have an unexpanded state diameter that is selected for both rapid occlusion of the hole and sliding clearance within a delivery catheter having an outside diameter sized for traversal of the hole. The mass may include a matrix. The matrix may define interstitial space for absorption of the fluid.
