Putting radiation to the test to heal irregularheartbeat. hearthealth health
While it's highly experimental, surprising early research suggests it may reprogram misfiring heart cells to control heartbeats more like younger, healthier cells do.
by signing up you agree to our terms of service The Louisville man already had undergone an hourslong invasive procedure to keep his heart beating properly, and had a defibrillator implanted as a backup. Then this winter, twice in about a month, Backus briefly passed out and awoke feeling like he'd been kicked in the chest. The defibrillator had to save him, shocking his heart back into rhythm.
Dr. Phillip Cuculich, a heart rhythm specialist at Washington University, came up with the idea for a no-incision alternative. But he agreed to try, warning patients about possible long-term risks. His very first arrhythmia patient responded,"You're concerned about something that might happen 10 or 20 years from now? I'm worried about tomorrow," Robinson recalled."That was really eye-opening."
Dr. Stacey Rentschler observes work in her lab at Washington University in St. Louis. "It may actually rejuvenate sick tissue, and that's pretty exciting," says Rentschler. - Courtesy of Washington University/Via Associated Press But the FDA requires stronger evidence for more routine use -- and the more hospitals offer"off-label" radiation to these heart patients, the harder it will be to get that proof.
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