Tuesday 9 August 2022 12:31 AM How butterfly implant the size of a baked bean helps weak hearts trends now

Tuesday 9 August 2022 12:31 AM How butterfly implant the size of a baked bean helps weak hearts trends now
Tuesday 9 August 2022 12:31 AM How butterfly implant the size of a baked bean helps weak hearts trends now

Tuesday 9 August 2022 12:31 AM How butterfly implant the size of a baked bean helps weak hearts trends now

An implant shaped like a butterfly that is put in the neck offers a radical new approach for heart failure — a condition that affects a million Britons.

The metal device, which is the size of a baked bean, is inserted into one of the two carotid arteries, which run on each side of the neck, connecting the heart to the brain. 

The ‘wings’ of the butterfly-shaped gadget apply gentle pressure on receptors in the lining of the carotid artery. Called baroreceptors, these are highly sensitive nerve endings that regulate blood pressure and heart rate.

Studies show that gently applying constant pressure to these receptors sends a signal to the brain to lower heart rate, reducing strain on the heart and, in turn, heart failure (which means the organ does not pump as efficiently as it should).

Slowing the heartbeat also gives the left ventricle (the main pumping chamber) more time to fill up with oxygen-rich blood.

When the heart does then contract, more blood is pumped around the body. Improving the supply of oxygen to key organs and muscles means fewer heart failure symptoms — such as breathlessness, severe fatigue and swelling in the legs and feet (caused by blood pooling in the lower part of the body).

Slowing the heartbeat also gives the left ventricle (the main pumping chamber) more time to fill up with oxygen-rich blood

Slowing the heartbeat also gives the left ventricle (the main pumping chamber) more time to fill up with oxygen-rich blood

Heart failure most commonly develops after a heart attack; other risk factors are high blood pressure, smoking and obesity.

Cardiac muscle damaged by a heart attack no longer works as efficiently and the weakened heart responds by working harder to try to maintain blood flow.

This puts it under greater strain and it gradually becomes even weaker. Treatments include medication, such as blood pressure pills, and lifestyle changes to reduce the strain on the heart. But many patients end up needing a pacemaker to keep the heart beating regularly and at the right speed.

Others undergo cardiac resynchronisation therapy, where an implant in the heart

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