14 DAY TRIAL // Kryptonite significantly improves the quality of life in heart patients that are recovering from open-chest surgery, Dr. Paul Fedak, a cardiac surgeon at Foothills Hospital Medical Center, told the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2010 today.
Last year, Calgary researchers invented a cutting-edge superglue called Kryptonite, used in surgery to enhance the closure of the breastbone.
Its properties are much like those of natural bones, and so it allows new bone growth, being much more efficient that the steel wires that were previously used for this type of surgery.
The releases of the official study results was highly anticipated, as the real benefits of the Kryptonite adhesive are amazing: the mechanical strength of the breastbone closure is 5 to 10 times higher than that of wires alone, the patients experience far less pain, so they need less painkillers and can breathe more easily after surgery.
Also, the recovery time after the surgery is cut in half, the patients have a far better quality of life and the most important thing is that there were no side effects or complications after one year of follow-up.
“One of the most common complaints among patients is sternal pain following heart surgery,” Dr Fedak said.
“With this alternative procedure, significant healing occurs in hours rather than in weeks.”
And as the bones are more stable, much faster – the breastbone becomes solid within hours, there are fewer complications like bone separation or wound infections.
A year ago, Kryptonite was tested on 20 patients and today, over 500 people benefit across Canada and the United States benefit from it.
Also, based on the Calgary studies, a large clinical trial has been established, which will include 15 Canadian and three American hospitals.
Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesperson, Dr. Beth Abramson, said that every year, there are nearly 29,000 sternotomies performed in Canada.
And as “world-wide, 1.4 million are performed each year, this procedure will potentially revolutionize surgical recovery around the world.
“It increases function, considerably improves quality of life, and ultimately saves the medical system money.”
The Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2010 is co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society.