localized cooling of the heart during a heart attack tagged posts

A thermal image of a localized cooled heart. The dark spot at the bottom is the cooled part. Credit: Catharina Hospital Eindhoven

Cardiologists at the Catharina hospital in Eindhoven have succeeded in the localized cooling of the heart during a heart attack, a world first. By cooling part of the heart prior to and following angioplasty, the cardiologists believe that the damage from a heart attack can be limited. The innovative new procedure was co-developed with scientists of the university in Eindhoven and the company LifeTec Group, a university spin-off.

“We have demonstrated in 10 patients that it is technically possible to cool part of the heart safely during a heart attack,” says cardiologist/intensivist Luuk Otterspoor...