It was mind-boggling for me to learn
That my patients with heart failure may lose up to a billion
Cardiomyocytes or heart muscle cells
It is no wonder then that they do not feel well
They have far fewer cells to do the work the heart was supposed to do
The remaining cells enlarge and work harder too
*
I treat these depleted hearts every day
With medications intended to work in a way
To prevent the muscle cells from being replaced by scar
And since these treatments only go so far
Sometimes we implant heart pumps to aid the failing heart
Sometimes they get heart transplants for a fresh start..
*
I was intrigued and excited in equal measure to come across
A study where scientists attem ji pted to mitigate the cardiomyocyte loss
By injecting cells on the surface of a failing heart
The procedure is in its infancy, but it is a good start
A game-changer it could in the future become
Such a development would be for my patients highly welcome
*
A billion cells lost, a heart barely hanging on
And still pumping blood right to the moment it is gone..
Passion...unbridled 