Raphael Thys
Johannes Holfeld holds the shockwave device in his hand during a bypass operation. Univ.-Klinik f. Cardiac surgery/MUI
Researchers have developed and tested a new shockwave device that could improve heart function after bypass surgery.
After years of work, researchers and surgeons at the University Clinic for Cardiac Surgery in Innsbruck, Austria, have showcased the efficacy of this new approach that combines bypass surgery with shockwave therapy via this device.
The clinical trial proved shockwave therapy’s ability to regenerate heart tissue as well as improve heart pumping function in patients.
“For the first time, it is possible to improve the heart muscle substantially and persistently,” said Michael Grimm, Director of the University Clinic for Cardiac Surgery in Innsbruck, in the press release.
As per BBC, researchers have named this device a “space hairdryer,” and it is expected to be launched in 2025. They are now planning to conduct large-scale trials of this device.
The need for shockwave device
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Millions suffer from chronic heart muscle weakness, a condition that significantly impacts their quality of life.
Bypass surgery is performed to treat severely blocked arteries. In coronary artery disease, these highways get clogged with plaque (like a fatty buildup), reducing blood flow to the heart muscle. Bypass surgery creates a new pathway for blood to reach the heart muscle.
This procedure involves bypassing clogged arteries with a healthy artery obtained from another part of the body. This keeps the heart functioning, but it doesn’t necessarily make it stronger.
This is where the new shockwave therapy comes in.
The idea behind shockwave therapy is to deliver gentle sound waves to stimulate patients’ heart muscles. Researchers believe that administering these waves during bypass surgery can awaken inactive cardiac cells and stimulate the development of new blood vessels.
Promising results
In the clinical study, the surgeons applied mild soundwaves shortly after bypass surgery, and this process took about 10 minutes. The shockwave therapy was given to 63 people in Austria.
Patients experienced a significant improvement in their heart‘s pumping function. They could walk further, had a better quality of life, and their hearts pumped more oxygenated blood.
The group that received shockwave therapy showed an 11.3% boost in their heart’s ability to pump oxygenated blood after just one year.
“We know that every five percentage points improvement in pumping performance brings a significant reduction in hospital readmissions and an extension of life expectancy. Our method has shown an average improvement of almost twelve percentage points. This is spectacular,” said Johaness Holfeld, project manager, in the press release.
Reportedly, shockwave therapy isn’t new. It’s already a proven technique for treating various conditions. Lower-intensity versions help heal injured tendons, ligaments and even address erectile dysfunction. Meanwhile, higher-powered shockwaves are used in lithotripsy, a common technique used to break up kidney stones.
The researchers are now hoping the European regulators will give a green light to the usage of this device by the end of the year. This will pave the way for its use in patients outside clinical trials in 2025.
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The findings have been reported in the European Heart Journal.
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