The therapy could help patients unsuitable for a bypass operation
A therapy that promotes blood vessel growth could help heart patients unsuitable for bypass surgery, according to American research.
In a study of 24 patients unable to undergo a full heart bypass, 'growth factor' therapy improved blood flow in the heart without any adverse side effects.
In bypass surgery, veins or arteries from another part of the body are grafted alongside blocked blood vessels in the heart to improve blood flow.
But when patients have widespread heart disease, or their affected artery is very small a bypass is often unable to restore the blood flow.
The researchers inserted 10 capsules of the growth factor alongside the blocked artery.
Pain free
The research team found that patients who received the highest dose of the growth factor showed an improvement in blood supply and heart function, while those those given much lower doses or none at all did not improve.
All the patients who received the highest dosage were free of chest pain - angina - indicating that blood flow had been fully restored.
The researchers at the Angiogenesis Research Centre, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre, Boston, are now conducting a larger study involving 120 patients.
The British Heart Foundation has welcomed the growth therapy research, but does not expect the technique to become clinical practice for several years.
'Blunt instrument'
A spokesman said it was too early to say whether the procedure would save lives.
"Although bypass surgery is now relatively routine, it's still a blunt instrument as you are transplanting a blood vessel to somewhere it's not supposed to be. Whereas promoting blood vessel growth is more in tune with the way the body is functioning already," he said.
Ten percent of bypasses become blocked within the first year and between five and 10% need further surgery, he added.
"But large-scale trials are needed to conclusively prove the procedure has lasting benefits, as well as ensuring there are no long-term safety issues.
"For example, if the technique promotes new blood vessel growth in the back of your eyes you could lose your sight."
