Gene therapy with implanted LED device automatically corrects heart rhythm disorder

heart
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Researchers at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), in collaboration with Delft University of Technology, have found a way to reset a racing heart immediately and automatically with an implanted LED device. In the scientific journal Science Translational Medicine, they describe how their bioelectronic defibrillator works in the laboratory. It could be the first step towards a pain-free treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation.

The system detects fast arrhythmias in the atrium of a rat's and sends a signal to an LED device placed near the heart. "The flash of light from this LED then causes the heart to generate an itself to halt the arrhythmia. This is made possible by using to introduce specific light-sensitive proteins into the heart. This restores the heart's normal rhythm immediately and automatically," says principal investigator Daniël Pijnappels of LUMC's Department of Cardiology.

According to the researchers, this could represent a great improvement on the current way of stopping . Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder in clinical practice. The current treatment, known as cardioversion, is based on administering an to the heart, which has to be done in the hospital under general anaesthesia because of pain. For many patients, this is the only treatment to immediately stop atrial fibrillation, because drugs or an operation are ineffective.

Credit: Leiden University Medical Center

Without electrical shock

Pijnappels says, "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. We anticipate that this treatment for atrial fibrillation could improve both the patient's quality of life and their prognosis." The researchers emphasise that considerable research is still needed before a treatment can be arrived at that is suitable for patients. According to the researchers, however, it has now been demonstrated that the possibility exists.

More information: Emile C. A. Nyns et al. An automated hybrid bioelectronic system for autogenous restoration of sinus rhythm in atrial fibrillation, Science Translational Medicine (2019). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aau6447

Journal information: Science Translational Medicine
Provided by Leiden University Medical Center
Citation: Gene therapy with implanted LED device automatically corrects heart rhythm disorder (2019, February 28) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-02-gene-therapy-implanted-device-automatically.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Study finds the heart can terminate atrial fibrillation itself after local gene therapy

796 shares

Feedback to editors