China leaps forward with breakthrough discovery in the treatment of heart diseases

Chinese scientists have pioneered the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a disease that has been a global health issue for more than 70 years. Their discoveries have garnered worldwide attention and recognition. This is reported by CGTN, a partner of TV BRICS.

According to Professor Xie Xiaojie, from the Department of Cardiology at Zhejiang University Medical School, no specific drug has been developed for almost four decades, and existing drugs for treating the disease can only control the symptoms, but not the root cause of myocardial hypertrophy.

HCM, which is most often caused by abnormal genes in the heart muscle, is still the leading cause of fatal cardiac complications in people under the age of 35. As it progresses, complications such as arrhythmia, stroke and heart failure can occur, according to the professor.

The disease can be categorised into two main types: obstructive (HOCM) and non-obstructive.

"In the field of HOCM surgery, we used to follow the world, but now we are keeping pace with it or even leading", observed Wei Xiang, a professor at Tongji Hospital in Wuhan and leader of the team of scientists who conducted the research into the new drug.

The professor also notes that surgery or interventional therapy can be effective, but they are complex, present risks and are only suitable for a limited number of patients. Innovative new technologies are therefore in demand.

The drug offers new hope to elderly patients suffering from HCM, as it allows all the necessary procedures for treatment to be carried out without the need to open-heart surgeries, thus reducing the risks of cardiac arrest and blood transfusion.