Superglue speeds up recovery for heart surgery patients
By IANSMonday, October 25, 2010
LONDON - A superglue called Kryptonite reduces the recuperative period from eight to four weeks for patients who have undergone heart surgery.
The glue, named after the mythical green element from the Superman stories, is used to improve closure of the breastbone after open-heart surgery, reports the Telegraph.
Paul Fedak, from Foothills Hospital Medical Centre in Calgary, Canada, said: “It has properties similar to natural bone and allows for new bone growth.”
“One of the most common complaints among patients is sternal pain following heart surgery. With this alternative procedure, significant healing occurs in hours rather than in weeks,” he added.
Research showed that the Kryptonite - the glue’s marketed brand name - helps patients to breathe painlessly and recover without the need for powerful analgesics.
The mechanical strength of breastbone closure was increased five to 10 times compared to that produced by holding it together with wire.
Beth Abramson, from the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation, said: “This procedure will potentially revolutionise surgical recovery around the world. It increases function, considerably improves quality of life, and ultimately saves money.”
The research was presented Monday at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2010 in Montreal.
Kryptonite was first tested on 20 patients a year ago. It has since been used on more than 500 patients in hospital across Canada and the US.
