Recent research suggests that gentle shockwaves could significantly regenerate heart tissue in patients following bypass surgery. A study conducted in Austria involving 63 individuals revealed that those who received this innovative treatment experienced improved mobility and enhanced cardiac function.
“For the first time, we are seeing the heart muscle regenerate in a clinical setting, which could help millions of people,” stated Professor Johannes Holfeld from Innsbruck Medical University. Following these promising results, larger trials of the device, humorously dubbed the “space hairdryer” by researchers, are now planned to validate the findings across a broader patient demographic.
According to the World Health Organization, heart disease and other cardiovascular complications claim 18 million lives annually worldwide. High blood pressure, unhealthy diets, tobacco, and alcohol use are significant risk factors contributing to this leading cause of global mortality. While there is no definitive cure for heart disease, existing treatments aim to manage the condition and mitigate the risk of heart attacks, where blood supply to the heart is abruptly obstructed.
In severe instances, surgeons perform heart bypass surgeries, grafting a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body to bypass the blocked artery. However, this procedure can only preserve heart function, not enhance it. Austrian researchers have been exploring ways to regenerate the damaged heart tissue using mild soundwaves administered shortly after bypass surgery.
The procedure, which lasts approximately 10 minutes, aims to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels around the damaged or scarred heart tissue resulting from a heart attack. This “shockwave” technique is similar to those used in treating conditions such as injured tendons, ligaments, and erectile dysfunction. High-strength waves or pulses are also employed in lithotripsy, a common medical procedure for breaking up kidney stones.
Professor Johannes Holfeld leads the Innsbruck team applying shockwave therapy to heart disease treatment. In the study, published in the European Heart Journal, half of the bypass patients received soundwave therapy under general anesthesia, while the others underwent a sham procedure.
One year post-surgery, the shockwave group showed an 11.3% increase in the amount of oxygenated blood pumped by the heart, compared to a 6.3% increase in the control group. Additionally, patients who received shockwave treatment could walk further without resting and reported an improved quality of life. “It means they are able to go out for a walk with their dog again or go to the supermarket in their everyday life,” Prof Holfeld explained. “We also anticipate they will have a longer life expectancy and fewer re-hospitalizations.”
British Heart Foundation’s associate medical director, Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan, a consultant cardiologist, remarked on the significance of these findings. “Current heart-disease treatment leaves much room for improvement. What’s exciting about this trial is that a year later, people who had shockwave therapy to the heart during their operation had better heart function and fewer symptoms than those who didn’t.”
Moving forward, larger and longer trials are necessary to explore the long-term effects of this treatment. The researchers anticipate European regulators will approve the device later this year, with its first use on patients outside clinical trials expected in 2025.
The study received funding from Austrian government departments, the US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, and a spin-off company from Innsbruck Medical University, part-owned by the researchers.
The potential of this “space hairdryer” to regenerate heart tissue represents a significant advancement in cardiac care, offering hope for millions affected by heart disease worldwide. As the medical community awaits further validation from upcoming trials, the promise of improved patient outcomes and extended life expectancy brings a new frontier in the battle against cardiovascular disease.
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