Daijiworld Media Network- Berlin
Berlin, Apr 4: As thousands of patients worldwide continue to wait for lifesaving heart transplants, scientists in Germany have introduced a groundbreaking innovation that could revolutionize cardiac treatment – a “heart patch” developed from stem cells.
According to a report published in Nature, these patches consist of engineered heart muscle (EHM) made from adult human stem cells embedded in a collagen hydrogel. Each patch comprises up to 200 million lab-grown cells that can be sutured onto a patient’s heart through minimally invasive surgery, assisting the heart in pumping more effectively.
The first successful human trial was conducted in 2021 on a 46-year-old woman, allowing her to survive until she received a heart transplant. Since then, 15 other patients with severe heart failure have been treated using this innovative patch. Scientists expect further data on these cases by the end of the year.
Pharmacologist Sian Harding, an emeritus professor at Imperial College London, expressed optimism over scaling up the process. “I’ve made these patches myself,” she said, estimating a cost of approximately $15,000 to create a palm-sized piece of tissue.
Harding emphasized that the patches are developed from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), reprogrammed from adult stem cells, avoiding ethical concerns associated with embryonic stem cells. This innovation marks a significant step towards addressing the global heart transplant crisis, with about 50,000 patients suffering from end-stage heart failure annually and only 5,000 transplants performed due to a shortage of donor hearts.
Medical experts acknowledge that while existing treatments like ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and mechanical devices such as LVADs (Left Ventricular Assist Devices) have proven effective, they are not sufficient for all patients. LVADs, in particular, involve invasive procedures and serve more as temporary solutions.
Dr Sounok Sen, a cardiologist and assistant professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine, noted, “In the United States right now, the main things we rely upon are mechanical assist devices for pump failure, whether that be as a therapy for heart failure by itself, or as a mechanism to get them towards transplant later on in life.”
The heart patch offers a promising alternative, potentially serving as a bridge to transplant or even a permanent solution for some patients. As clinical trials continue, researchers are hopeful that this pioneering technology could reshape the future of cardiac care, providing relief to millions of patients worldwide.