Botox prevents atrial fibrillation arrhythmia after bypass surgery, according to the latest findings.
Botox is commonly used as a filler to get rid of fine lines and wrinkles, but researcher published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology suggests it can also prevent irregular heartbeats associated with bypass surgery.
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When Botox is injected into a muscle it prevents it from contracting, which is why it reduces wrinkles so well. Atrial fibrillation is a quivering or an irregular heartbeat, which can contribute to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.
Senior study author, Jonathan S. Steinberg, said, “About a third of all patients undergoing bypass surgery will develop atrial fibrillation, putting them at higher risk for cardiovascular complications. Atrial fibrillation is also always associated with lengthened hospitalization and that means increased healthcare costs.”
Researchers assigned 60 patients to either receive Botox or a saline solution. The injections were inserted into four fat pads surrounding the heart. To minimize bias doctors were unaware which patients received which treatment.
The researchers uncovered the following results:
- After 30 days of bypass surgery, those who received Botox injections had a seven percent chance of developing atrial fibrillation compared to 30 percent in those who received saline.
- One year after surgery, those who received Botox had no counts of atrial fibrillation.
- The Botox group did not indicate any complication, but complications in regards to the surgery were similar in both groups.
In order to use Botox as a means of reducing atrial fibrillation, a larger study needs to be conducted to prove the results once again. Steinberg concluded, “This first-in-man study has opened a whole new line of thinking and research. In the near future, Botox injections may become the standard of care for heart bypass and valve patients, but we’re not quite there yet.”
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
