New 3D-printed heart valves could save children's lives: Montreal researchers
Researchers at the Sainte-Justine Hospital are testing what might be a major breakthrough in helping children with heart defects.
They’re using a 3D printer to make heart valves and in about an hour, the machine will reproduce something so precious. It has the potential to add years to a life and it's roughly the size of a raspberry.
"I really believe this is really promising," said PhD student Arman Jafari, who has found a new way to make heart valves with Sainte-Justine Hospital principal investigator Houman Savoji.
Using hydrogels — known for being compatible with tissue generation — the valve is produced in a 3D printer. Stem cells could then be harvested from the patient, put on the valve, and grown in a bioreactor before being implanted into the patient.
"So everything is personalized. We call it personalized medicine," said Savoji.
Currently, a damaged heart valve is replaced with one from an animal heart or mechanical valve but that comes with risks.
"When you have the mechanical heart valve, it might work for 10 years, or 20 years, but for that whole time you have to take anti-coagulation drugs, which can cause serious complications," said Jafari.
Another issue with traditional valve replacements is they don’t grow with the patient so multiple surgeries could be required.
"If you implant such a valve, you mostly know this will not last a lifetime, this will not be incorporated into the body," said Dr. Gregor Andelfinger, a pediatric cardiologist.
What’s exciting about the new technology is that it’s using the patient’s own cells. Early tests show there’s less chance of rejection and the hope is the valve will grow with the patient.
"The cells start remodelling or making their own structure and then this material disappears during time. And then the cells make their own structure and support and then they grow with the patient," Savoji said.
The next step is experimenting on animals and human trials could begin in about a decade. If it works, it could offer new hope to adults and children with heart disease.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William and Kate release photo of daughter Charlotte to mark ninth birthday
Prince William and his wife Kate released a picture of their daughter Charlotte to mark the princess's ninth birthday on Thursday.
Ontario man loses $1,500 applying for Nexus cards on social media
The trusted traveller program between Canada and the United States is extremely popular and almost two million Canadians have a Nexus card.
NEW Facial reconstruction reveals what a 40-something Neanderthal woman may have looked like
Scientists studying a Neanderthal woman's remains have painstakingly pieced together her skull from 200 bone fragments to understand what she may have looked like.
Campus protests: Israeli academics say their universities are 'best chance' for peace
One of the demands of pro-Palestinian activists who have set up protest encampments on university campuses in Canada and the United States is a severing of ties with Israeli universities.
Concerns about Plexiglas prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall Plexiglas barriers.
Weight-loss drug Wegovy available in Canada starting May 6
The makers of Ozempic say their weight-loss drug Wegovy will be available to patients in Canada starting Monday.
Five human skeletons, missing hands and feet, found outside house of Nazi leader Hermann Goring
Archeologists have unearthed the skeletons of five people, missing their hands and feet, at a former Nazi military base in Poland.
This Canadian restaurant just lowered its prices. Here's how it did it
A Canadian restaurant lowered its prices this week, and though news of price tags dropping rather than climbing sounds unusual, the business strategy in this case is not, according to experts in the field.
NEW Companies letting customers opt out of Mother's Day ads
In an effort to balance the profitability of Mother's Day with the pain it causes some people, some brands are offering customers the choice to opt out of Mother's Day email advertising.