Kryptonite glue helps heart patients recover

Grace Hammond

A superglue called Kryptonite can improve the recovery of patients undergoing heart surgery, research has shown.

The glue, named after mythical green element from the Superman stories, is used to improve closure of the breast bone after open-heart surgery.

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Dr Paul Fedak, from Foothills Hospital Medical Centre in Calgary, Canada, said: “It has properties like 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.”

New research showed that the Kryptonite – the glue’s marketed brand name – helps patients to breathe painlessly and recover without the need for powerful analgesics.

Using the glue shortened recovery time from eight to four weeks.

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The mechanical strength of breastbone closure was increased five to 10 times above that produced by holding together with wire.

Dr 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 the medical system money.”

The research was presented today 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.

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