Gentle shockwaves have demonstrated potential for regenerating heart tissue in patients following bypass surgery, according to recent research. A study conducted in Austria with 63 participants showed that those who received the new treatment could walk further and had improved heart pumping capacity.
Prof. Johannes Holfeld from Innsbruck Medical University expressed optimism about the findings, stating, “For the first time, we are seeing the heart muscle regenerate in a clinical setting, which could help millions of people.” The device, playfully dubbed a “space hairdryer” by researchers, is set to undergo larger trials to confirm its efficacy in a broader patient population.
Blocked Artery
Every year, heart disease and other cardiovascular issues claim the lives of 18 million individuals globally, as reported by the World Health Organization. Risk factors include high blood pressure, an unhealthy diet, and tobacco and alcohol consumption. Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, with no known cure. Although drugs and other treatments can help manage the condition and reduce the risk of a heart attack, there is still much room for improvement.
In severe cases, surgeons perform a heart bypass, attaching a healthy blood vessel from the chest, leg, or arm to the area of the heart above and below the blocked artery. However, this operation can only preserve heart function rather than improve it.
Researchers in Austria have been exploring ways to regenerate damaged tissue by applying mild soundwaves shortly after bypass surgery. The 10-minute procedure aims to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels around the area damaged or scarred after a heart attack. A similar “shockwave” technique already treats injuries to tendons and ligaments, as well as erectile dysfunction. Doctors also use higher-strength waves or pulses in lithotripsy, a common procedure for breaking up kidney stones.
Study Results
The study, published in the European Heart Journal, involved half of the bypass patients receiving soundwaves under general anesthesia, while the other half underwent a sham procedure. One year after their surgery, those in the shockwave group experienced an 11.3% increase in the amount of oxygenated blood pumped by the heart, compared to a 6.3% increase in the control group.
Patients who received shockwave therapy also reported being able to walk further without resting and an overall higher quality of life. Prof. Holfeld noted, “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-hospitalizations.”
Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation and a consultant cardiologist, emphasized the need for more extensive trials. “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. The research requires bigger and longer trials to assess long-term effects.”
Researchers anticipate that European regulators will approve the device later this year, with plans to begin using it on patients outside clinical trials starting in 2025. The study received funding from Austrian government departments, the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and a company spun off from Innsbruck Medical University, partially owned by the researchers.
