Article Impact Level: HIGH Data Quality: STRONG Summary of Nature Communications, 15(1), 6774. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51111-4 Dr. Umut Aydemir et al.
Points
- Researchers have developed an injectable cardiac stimulator that forms a conductive network around the heart, providing an alternative to traditional, bulky external devices or invasive surgeries.
- The injectable device adheres seamlessly to the heart, stimulating cardiac activity without interrupting the normal rhythm, and offers high conductivity and tissue compatibility.
- The device regulates heartbeats and corrects arrhythmias immediately upon injection. It remains effective for up to five days, allowing time for permanent treatment planning.
- Extensive testing shows that the stimulator is safe, with no detected toxicity at the organismal, organ, or cellular levels, and can be absorbed or eliminated without adverse effects.
- This breakthrough represents a significant improvement in treating life-threatening arrhythmias, offering a non-invasive, temporary solution that avoids the need for surgical device removal.
Summary
Researchers have introduced an injectable cardiac stimulator in a groundbreaking development aimed at addressing the limitations of traditional cardiac arrhythmia interventions. This innovative device consists of a syringe filled with a solution of conductive polymer and monomer nanoparticles that, once injected, polymerizes into a conductive network around the heart. This network effectively stimulates cardiac activity without requiring bulky external devices or invasive surgical implantation. The technology adheres seamlessly to the heart, functioning without interrupting the normal cardiac rhythm and demonstrating a tissue-compatible Young’s modulus of 21 kPa and high conductivity of 55 S/cm.
Upon administration, the injected cardiac stimulator facilitates immediate electrocardiogram measurements, regulates the heartbeat, and effectively corrects arrhythmias in vivo. The injectable solution’s conductive properties are designed to remain functional for up to five days, providing a temporary but robust solution to manage cardiac arrhythmias urgently and efficiently. This duration of action allows for a critical time in which permanent intervention strategies can be planned and executed if necessary.
Furthermore, extensive testing has confirmed the safety of the injectable stimulator at multiple biological levels. No toxicity was detected at the organismal, organ, or cellular levels, suggesting that the device can be safely absorbed or eliminated from the body without adverse effects. This breakthrough in cardiac care technology eliminates the need for surgical removal of the device, representing a significant advancement in managing and treating life-threatening arrhythmias.
Link to the article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51111-4
References Aydemir, U., Mousa, A. H., Dicko, C., Strakosas, X., Shameem, M. A., Hellman, K., Yadav, A. S., Ekström, P., Hughes, D., Ek, F., Berggren, M., Arner, A., Hjort, M., & Olsson, R. (2024). In situ assembly of an injectable cardiac stimulator. Nature Communications, 15(1), 6774. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51111-4
