The heart is one of the most essential organs in the human body, consistently pumping blood to maintain life. When the heart muscles, called cardiomyocytes, are damaged due to incidents like heart attacks, the results can be serious and enduring. Traditionally, it was believed that heart muscle cells could not regenerate, leading to permanent damage.
However, recent research found that gentle shockwaves could regenerate the heart tissue of patients after bypass surgery. It is based on the health data of a small group of people – 63 – but researchers in Austria are thrilled to see the results.
“For the first time, we are seeing the heart muscle regenerate in a clinical setting, which could help millions of people,” Prof Johannes Holfeld, from Innsbruck Medical University, told the BBC.
Researchers employed a device they named a “space hairdryer” for the study and now plan to replicate the results with a larger group of participants.
During the study, they discovered that those who received the new treatment could walk further, and their hearts could pump more blood.
Heart disease is a leading cause of death globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 18 million people die from heart complications annually.
Treatments and surgeries for managing heart disease
Currently, medications and other treatments can help manage heart disease and reduce the risk of heart attacks. In severe cases, surgeons perform bypass surgery, attaching a healthy blood vessel above or below a blocked artery to restore blood flow.
This news has generated excitement. The study revealed that it takes 10 minutes to stimulate the growth of new vessels in areas damaged by a heart attack.
The “shockwave” technique is also used to treat other conditions, such as injured ligaments. Higher-powered waves are employed to break up kidney stones.
Details of the study have been published in the European Heart Journal. The research team noted that a year after the treatment, the amount of blood pumped by the heart increased by more than 11 percent. Additionally, patients were able to walk longer distances without needing to rest.
“It means they are able to go out for a walk with their dog again or go to the supermarket in their everyday life. We also anticipate they will have a longer life expectancy and fewer re-hospitalisations,” said Prof Holfeld.
However, British Heart Foundation associate medical director Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan, a cardiologist, mentioned that the treatment has room for improvement and called for “bigger and longer trials.”