Articles tagged with Heart Muscle
Researchers found that a tiny deletion in the titin protein causes developmental defects in embryonic ventricles, leading to increased potassium ion current and abnormal ANP expression. This remodeling leads to impaired atrial contractility and an increased risk of adult atrial fibrillation.
Researchers at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine will investigate how injured heart cells communicate with other cells throughout the body using microvesicles known as exosomes. The study aims to understand how specific molecules, such as microRNAs, facilitate communication pathways between cells in the heart and vasculature.
A growth factor called BMP7 has been found to promote cardiomyocyte proliferation and regeneration in both zebrafish and adult mice. This discovery offers a promising new approach to treating heart disease by stimulating cardiac muscle cell regrowth even in later stages of life.
A mouse study found that heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) differs between male and female mice, with females exhibiting altered heart filament proteins and males showing slowed calcium removal. This may lead to different treatment strategies for women compared to men with HFpEF.
A team of scientists at the University of Ottawa has developed a novel peptide-based hydrogel that can be used for on-the-spot repair to damaged organs and tissues. The material shows great potential for closing skin wounds, delivering therapeutics to damaged heart muscle, and reshaping and healing injured corneas.
A clinical trial found that aficamten significantly increased maximum oxygen use in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This improvement enables patients to perform everyday tasks more easily, such as walking and household chores. Researchers believe aficamten has promise as a treatment for this condition.
Two anti-inflammatory molecules, TGFβ1 and HpTGM, reduce the inflammatory response within the injured heart and scarring. Treatment with these proteins at the time of reperfusion reduces infarct size and mature scar size.
A study presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session found that young adults prescribed ADHD stimulants were significantly more likely to develop cardiomyopathy. The overall risk remained low, but researchers suggested further studies could identify subgroups at greater risk.
A new vest can map electric impulses of the heart in fine detail, detecting abnormalities from a potentially fatal heart disease much earlier. The study found that the vest identified electrical changes among 1 in 4 individuals with a gene mutation for whom no signs of disease were detected via standard tests.
The Exploratorium's new exhibit allows visitors to sync their heartbeat with living heart cells, sparking discussion about the heart and health, as well as stem cell science. Visitors reported increased engagement with the exhibit, sharing reactions and experiences with others.
Researchers at Duke University successfully introduced a mutated BRAF gene into rat heart tissue, inducing growth and cell division. However, the approach was associated with significant loss of contractile strength, highlighting the need for precise control over gene activation and delivery.
Researchers at the CNIC in Madrid have discovered a connection between stress kinases and the development of ventricular fibrillation. The study found that activation of these enzymes alters the electrical properties of cardiomyocytes, triggering arrhythmias.
Researchers discovered that adrenergic signals from the autonomic nervous system determine whether macrophages multiply and migrate into damaged heart tissue. This communication also plays a crucial role in regenerating heart muscle tissue.
A recent study published in Circulation found that non-ischemic or dual cardiomyopathy occurs in 1 out of every 6 patients with coronary artery disease. These conditions are characterized by heart muscle damage and can lead to worse long-term outcomes. The researchers used cardiac MRI to determine the cause of cardiomyopathy, which has...
A study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Academia Sinica of Taiwan has successfully combined lab-grown cardiomyocytes with stem-cell-derived endothelial cells to regenerate damaged heart muscle after a heart attack. This combination therapy holds promise for tackling arrhythmia and could lead to improved clinical applications.
A UCLA-led team has identified RBFox1, an RNA splicing regulator, as a key player in promoting human stem cell-derived heart muscle cell maturation. This finding offers a deeper understanding of heart muscle cell development and hints at future therapeutic applications for regenerative therapies.
Mutations in the PRDM16 gene alter heart muscle cell metabolism, leading to weakened hearts and increased risk of congenital heart failure in women. Female mice with this genetic defect experience significantly more heart problems than males.
A study by the University of Helsinki has identified two genetic risk factors, RNF207 and PRKAA2, that contribute to dilated cardiomyopathy in both humans and Dobermanns. The research offers a new perspective on the disease and may lead to the development of early diagnostic tests for breeders.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have developed a modified messenger RNA that can temporarily induce cardiomyocyte cell division, leading to reduced infarct size and improved heart function. The treatment has shown promise in mouse and pig models without increasing the risk of deadly arrhythmias.
Researchers at Harvard developed a fiber-infused ink that allows 3D-printed heart muscle cells to align and contract like human heart cells, enabling the creation of functional heart ventricles. The innovation can be used to build life-like heart tissues with thicker muscle walls, paving the way for regenerative therapeutics.
A study published in Science reveals that ganglia in the neck region are responsible for disrupting melatonin production and causing sleep disturbances in people with heart conditions. Researchers found that macrophages accumulate in the ganglion, leading to inflammation and scarring, which can be treated with drugs.
Researchers found immune markers associated with myocardial injury in hypertensive patients with Covid-19, including altered cytokine levels and immune cell activation. These findings suggest a key role for immune dysregulation in the development of cardiac muscle injury.
The new scientific statement highlights the importance of identifying the root cause of pediatric cardiomyopathy to develop effective treatment strategies. Genetic testing is recommended for all children with cardiomyopathy, which may lead to financial and emotional cost savings.
Two researchers will receive $1 million each for their five-year studies on new medication-based approaches to repair damaged aortas, as well as the effects of exercise on healing heart muscle and brain tissue after a heart attack or stroke. The American Heart Association's Merit Award supports innovative research with high impact.
Researchers found that a mutation in RPL3L, expressed only in heart and skeletal muscle, leads to impaired cardiac contractility by causing ribosomal collisions and protein folding abnormalities. The study aims to develop new treatments for cardiomyopathy and atrial fibrillation.
Dr. Miaomiao Zhang's research aims to automate late mechanical activation detection from cardiac magnetic resonance images using machine learning and AI techniques. This could lead to more accurate placement of CRT electrodes and improved patient outcomes.
Using mice, researchers successfully converted scar tissue back into functioning cardiac muscle using RNAs and exosomes, offering new hope for reversing heart attack damage. The study also sheds light on the aging process's impact on cellular reprogramming.
Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered a genetic mutation that causes lethal arrhythmia in humans. The study found that a novel variant of the CALM2 gene produces robust arrhythmogenicity in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.
Researchers at the University of Washington School Medicine have engineered stem cells that do not generate dangerous arrhythmias. These 'MEDUSA' cardiomyocytes can engraft in the heart, mature into adult cells and beat in sync with natural pacemaking without generating dangerous heart rates.
Researchers at TUM have developed a method to create mini-hearts in Petri dishes using stem cells. The resulting organoids mimic the earliest stages of human heart development and can be used to investigate congenital heart defects, potentially leading to new treatment methods.
Researchers from the Smidt Heart Institute found that individuals with spherical hearts are 31% more likely to develop atrial fibrillation and 24% more likely to develop cardiomyopathy. The study identified four genes associated with cardiomyopathy and a greater risk of developing atrial fibrillation.
Supervised exercise training is safe and may improve exercise capacity and quality of life for people with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Exercise therapy has been shown to be more effective in improving quality of life compared to medications for this condition.
A small number of patients with acute myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination showed signs of heart muscle inflammation, while asymptomatic patients had normal cardiac tissue. The study suggests that symptoms alone are a poor indicator of myocardial injury after vaccination.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine are collaborating with NASA to send human heart tissue into space to monitor its changes in low-gravity conditions. The mission will test the impact of long-duration spaceflights on heart muscle cells, potentially informing age-related cardiac problems treatments.
A new study shows that transcatheter mitral valve repair significantly reduces hospitalizations by almost 50 percent and death by nearly 30 percent in heart failure patients with severe mitral regurgitation. The procedure, using Abbott's MitraClip system, improves symptoms, reduces hospitalizations, and leads to longer survival.
A new cell therapy has demonstrated significant benefits in improving the heart's pumping ability and reducing the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, or stroke in patients with chronic heart failure. The therapy, using mesenchymal precursor cells (MPCs), also showed a strong signal in reducing inflammation and improving microv...
Excessive trabeculation of the left ventricle does not coalesce into a compact myocardial wall, making 'LV non-compaction' an inaccurate term that should be discouraged. The review recommends using 'excessive trabeculation', which can be observed across various health and disease states.
Researchers discovered that myosin motor proteins must be activated before muscles can contract, potentially leading to breakthroughs in treating inherited cardiac conditions. This new understanding could lead to medical remedies for diseases like dilated cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Researchers found that pacing patients at faster heart rates improved quality of life, physical activity, and reduced atrial fibrillation. This new treatment approach shows promise in treating heart failure with a stiff heart muscle.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences discover genes and individual variations associated with atrial fibrillation, predicting stroke and mortality risk. They also uncover a potential treatment target, ERRg, involved in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation.
Swimming-induced pulmonary oedema (SIPE) is a relatively little known hazard associated with open water swimming. Risk factors include older age, long distances, cold water, and female sex. SIPE can occur in fit and healthy individuals, highlighting the importance of awareness and prevention.
As people age, their health care needs become more complex, making it essential to consider anatomical and functional changes when diagnosing and treating ACS. An individualized and patient-centered approach is best for older adults, considering coexisting conditions and input from multiple specialists.
Cardiac reprogramming converts scar tissue into healthy heart muscle, reducing fibrosis and improving heart function in mice with chronic myocardial infarction. This approach could lead to a new treatment for patients with heart attack and heart failure.
A new gene therapy approach has been developed to boost the expression of the beta-3 adrenergic receptor in heart cells, improving mitochondrial function and preventing or reversing heart failure in a mouse model of aortic stenosis. This could potentially provide new therapeutic options for patients with this condition.
Researchers found that exposure to e-cigarettes, marijuana, and tobacco led to increased scarring, decreased blood vessels, and changes in heart nerves, all contributing to an increased risk of arrhythmias. These substances can cause similar harm to the heart as traditional cigarettes.
Researchers developed an AI tool that analyzes plaque features on coronary CT scans to predict reduced blood flow, potentially reducing invasive tests. The tool could help doctors determine the next step in treatment plans and risk-stratify patients correctly.
A new study has shown that bivalirudin is a safer and more effective anticoagulant than heparin for treating heart attack patients. The trial found that bivalirudin significantly reduced death, major bleeding, and thrombosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.
A Mayo Clinic study found that clinicians who were high adopters of an AI-enabled clinical decision support tool were twice as likely to diagnose low left ventricular ejection fraction as those who were low adopters. The tool's accuracy was critical in detecting serious health conditions before symptoms appeared.
A new troponin test has been developed to help diagnose heart attacks more accurately. By detecting only large troponin molecules, the test can distinguish between heart attacks and other conditions such as renal insufficiency.
Dr. David Kass, a Johns Hopkins professor, has advanced understanding of heart disease and its treatments through pioneering clinical studies and molecular research. His work has led to the development of new therapies for heart failure, obesity, muscular dystrophy, and potentially immunotherapy for cancer.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have identified TBX20 as a vital regulator of direct human cardiac reprogramming. Adding TBX20 to existing cocktails improves contractility and mitochondrial function in reprogrammed heart muscle cells, suggesting a therapeutic potential for TBX20.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have identified a new mechanism in ARVC that could lead to a potential treatment strategy. They found that activating sirtuin-3 can slow down disease progression, and honokiol, a natural product extracted from the tulip tree, has been shown to work similarly.
Researchers discovered that blocking the ion channel TRPC6 prolongs survival and improves muscle function in mice with severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The study also reduced bone deformities associated with weak muscles.
Researchers at RIKEN have discovered how marsupials' hearts can regenerate for several weeks after birth, allowing for potential treatment of human heart disease. They found that inhibiting a protein called AMPK extended the period of regeneration in both mice and opossums, with minimal scarring.
Researchers led by Jianyi Zhang aim to find key pathways for reprogramming adult heart muscle cells to proliferate in response to a heart attack, potentially leading to improved heart attack recovery through growth of new heart muscle cells. The grant will fund three projects at UAB and two other universities.
Researchers tested a new needle ablation technique called SERF to treat ventricular tachycardia in patients who had not responded to other treatments. The study found that 31 of 32 patients experienced eliminated clinical ventricular tachycardia, with device therapies reduced by 89% during follow-up.
Researchers from Boston Children's Hospital found that aging heart muscle cells accumulate new genetic mutations over time, but lose the ability to repair them. This accumulation of mutations can push the heart past a tipping point into disease.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that cells lining the heart direct cardiac muscle growth and outlined a complex mechanism regulating this process. The discovery may help develop better techniques for regenerating heart tissue and prevent congenital heart defects.
A new advanced MRI technique has enabled clinicians to measure the effectiveness of chemotherapy in patients with stiff heart syndrome, improving their prognosis. By accurately measuring amyloid protein deposits in the heart, doctors can better guide treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes.
The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein activates the natural immune response in heart muscle cells, causing damage and inflammation. The study found that the spike protein also caused hypertrophic remodeling and cardiac dysfunction in lab mice, highlighting a novel, ACE2-independent pathological role of the virus.