Heart regeneration patch on the horizon

Researchers at the London British Heart Foundation Centre of Regenerative Medicine have developed a small heart patch to improve the supply of blood to a damaged heart post heart attack. They are developed from the patient’s own cells, converted into stem cells and turn into working heart muscle. Research results have shown improved heart function post heart attack and no abnormal heart rhythms at four weeks.
Associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, Professor Metin Avkiran, said: “This is a prime example of world-leading research that has the potential to mend broken hearts and transform lives around the globe. If clinical trials can show the benefits of these heart patches in people after a heart attack, it would be a great leap forward for regenerative medicine. Due in large part to research we’ve funded, more people are surviving heart attacks than ever before. But that means there’s a growing number of people at risk of heart failure, as their hearts can’t recover from the damage caused by the heart attack. Heart failure is a debilitating and life-changing condition with no cure, making everyday tasks incredibly difficult. If we can patch the heart up and help it heal, we could transform the outlook for these people.”
Researcher Dr Richard Jabbour said: “One day, we hope to add heart patches to the treatments that doctors can routinely offer people after a heart attack. We could prescribe one of these patches alongside medicines for someone with heart failure, which you could take from a shelf and implant straight in to a person.”