Researchers Make Breakthrough in Heart Repairs

The University of Ottawa Heart Institute's researchers have found a way to grow new blood vessels. That breakthrough may lead the way to repairing heart damage.

The biomaterial adds a molecule to a collagen protein that already exists in the body. That process allows cells to be attracted to the blood vessel long enough to grow according to Dr. Erik Suuronen. When the biomaterial is placed into the thigh muscles of lab rats new blood vessels grew. Once in the body itself repair cells go to the biomaterial allowing cells to remain alive and regenerate. In heart disease this biomaterial would be injected into the heart muscle. That process could target clots and other damaged areas. The study is online at the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.