New Injectable Gel May Prevent Heart Failure After a Heart Attack

Hydrogel found to prevent heart failure after a heart attack has been identified.

Highlights

Hydrogel that can prevent heart failure after a heart attack has been identified
The hydrogel can support the heart cells that have been damaged.
It prevents the development of heart tissue and enlargement of the heart.

In the United States, every 43 seconds some one has a heart attack. 735,000 Americans have a heart attack every year out of which 525,000 people have an attack for the first time. A heart attack occurs when a part of the heart does not receive the required blood flow. When it is left untreated, it leads to thinning of the heart walls, enlargement of the heart and development of scar tissue.

Heart attack is most often caused due to coronary artery disease. Clots formed in the arteries or thickening of the arteries can restrict the flow of blood to the tissues of the heart, leading to damage to cells.

‘Hydrogel can revolutionize treatment for people who survive a heart attack.’

Heart Failure after Heart Attack

More than 5 million Americans suffer from heart failure after a heart attack. One in 5 heart attacks is a silent heart attack where the individual is unaware about the occurrence, however, normally there is a searing pain as an indication of an attack.

The heart failure that occurs after a heart attack can slowly lead to fatigue along with shortness of breath and eventually lead to death if left untreated.

Dr. Jason A. Burdick who is the lead author of the study says "Heart failure is a huge problem, and few therapies are available for these patients.”

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Injecting Cells as Treatment

A heart attack warrants treatment and the treatment options that are currently available include a change in the lifestyle of the individual, medication or in extreme cases, a heart transplant. While a donor for a heart transplant is hard to find, the other options too offer limited support.

Stem Cell Implantation Boon for Heart Failure Patients
Mesenchymal stem cell implantation in the myocardium improves the myocardial contractility, decreases the scar tissue and improves the quality of life.

Some scientists injected cells into the damaged area of the heart to aid in recovery. However, the cells tended to move or leak out, which prompted the scientists to then embed them in hydrogels, which are polymer chains with water.

The cells were injected embedded in these hydrogels into mice and the control group included mice that were injected with hydrogels without the cells. The study found that mice that were injected with blank hydrogels showed recovery even though there were no cells inside.

Cancer Risk Increases for Heart Failure Patients
The risk of cancer increases for heart attack sufferers who go on to have heart failure when compared to heart attack survivors who did not have heart failure.

The finding of the study has prompted other labs to try and develop a hydrogel that can be used on heart attack survivors. Dr. Burdick declares that it is important that this research is carried forward to figure out how this method can be adopted for treatment.

Work on Hydrogels

There are a couple of labs that have begun work on these hydrogels and their effectiveness in controlling heart failure after a heart attack. However the researchers from University of Penn have based their hydrogel on a sugar compound that is present naturally in the body, called hyaluronic acid.

To facilitate easy flow through the catheter the researchers include cyclodextrin and adamantane.
Methacrylate and thiol group were included so that there would be additional cross-linking. This would make the gel stronger when compared with hydrogels currently being worked on at different labs.

Benefits of Using this Gel

The gel developed by Burdick and colleagues has more cross-links when compared with other hydrogels being studied.
The damaged heart area gets additional support from this gel
Scar tissue formation is lowered
There is control over the thinning of heart walls after an attack.
The size of the organ is controlled by controlling enlargement of the heart that occurs after a heart attack.
As the size of the heart is controlled, it prevents the leakage of blood via the mitral valve.

The current study that focuses on using hydrogel in the control of heart failure after a heart attack shows a lot of promise. The researchers have said that they would like to partner with a catheter company after they have completed their research on their hydrogel and have improved their composition and delivery system.

Tips to Prevent Heart Disease

Choose a healthy diet plan
Adequate physical activity
Know your family history
Tame your stress
Watch your weight
Don’t smoke
Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol levels

References:

Heart Attack - (http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/heart_attack.htm)
What Is a Heart Attack? - (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/heartattack)

Source-Medindia