Newly developed gene therapy uses an implanted LED device to automatically correct heart rhythm disorder, reports a new study. The findings of the study are published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
The therapy detects fast arrhythmias in the atrium of a rat's heart and sends a signal to a LED device placed near the heart.
Heart Rate and Heart Rhythm
Normal heart rate and rhythm can be measured by checking pulse on the wrist and evaluated with an electrocardiogram. Myths about heart rate can lead to anxiety.
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‘Newly developed gene therapy uses an implanted LED device to reset a racing heart immediately and automatically, thereby paving the way for pain-free treatment for patients with heart rhythm disorder.’
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"The flash of light from this LED then causes the heart to generate an electric current itself to halt the arrhythmia," said lead investigator Daniel Pijnappels at Leiden University in the Netherlands.
"This is made possible by using gene therapy to introduce specific light-sensitive proteins into the heart. This restores the heart's normal rhythm immediately and automatically," he added.
![Cardiac Pacemaker for Abnormal Heart Rhythms]( "Cardiac Pacemaker for Abnormal Heart Rhythms")
A pacemaker stimulates the heart with electrical signals when it detects arrhythmias of the heart. Pacemakers are classified based on the number of lead electrodes used and the type of pacing involved.
According to the researchers, this could represent a great improvement on the current way of stopping atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common heart rhythm disorder in clinical practice. The current treatment, known as cardioversion, is based on administering an electric shock to the heart, which has to be done in the hospital under general anesthesia because of pain.
For many patients, this is the only treatment to immediately stop atrial fibrillation because drugs or operation are ineffective.
"The bioelectronic defibrillator can stop atrial fibrillation without an electrical shock. In this way, the heart can be reset in a fully automated manner and at any time," Pijnappels said.
"We anticipate that this treatment for atrial fibrillation could improve both the patient's quality of life and their prognosis," he added.
However, considerable research is still needed before a treatment can be arrived at that is suitable for human patients, the researchers noted.
Source: IANS
Cardiac Pacemaker for Abnormal Heart Rhythms
A pacemaker stimulates the heart with electrical signals when it detects arrhythmias of the heart. Pacemakers are classified based on the number of lead electrodes used and the type of pacing involved.
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According to the researchers, this could represent a great improvement on the current way of stopping atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common heart rhythm disorder in clinical practice. The current treatment, known as cardioversion, is based on administering an electric shock to the heart, which has to be done in the hospital under general anesthesia because of pain.
For many patients, this is the only treatment to immediately stop atrial fibrillation because drugs or operation are ineffective.
"The bioelectronic defibrillator can stop atrial fibrillation without an electrical shock. In this way, the heart can be reset in a fully automated manner and at any time," Pijnappels said.
"We anticipate that this treatment for atrial fibrillation could improve both the patient's quality of life and their prognosis," he added.
However, considerable research is still needed before a treatment can be arrived at that is suitable for human patients, the researchers noted.
Source: IANS
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation may not be life-threatening in itself but it is important to understand the causes, symptoms and treatments because of the risk of life-threatening complications.
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 World Heart Rhythm Week 2018 - Take Fainting to HeartWorld Heart Rhythm Week 2018 observed from 4th to 10th June aims to raise awareness about arrhythmias or rhythm disturbances of the heart causing irregular heart beat | Advertisement
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