Low-Cost, Portable Device Uses microRNA Technology to Diagnose Heart Attacks in Minutes

Researchers have developed a new sensor that could diagnose a heart attack in less than 30 minutes, according to a new study.

The low-cost, portable device developed by researchers from the University of Notre Dame’s College of Engineering (Notre Dame, IN, USA) and the University of Florida’s College of Medicine (Gainesville, FL, USA) could prove to be a boon for health care professionals as it takes them hours to diagnose a heart attack. Initial results from an echocardiogram can quickly show indications of heart disease, but to confirm a patient is having a heart attack, a blood sample and analysis is required. Those results can take up to eight hours.

Image: Professor Zorlutuna in the lab (Photo courtesy of University of Notre Dame)

By targeting three distinct types of microRNA or miRNA, the newly developed sensor can distinguish between an acute heart attack and a reperfusion - the restoration of blood flow, or reperfusion injury, and requires less blood than traditional diagnostic methods to do so. The ability to differentiate between someone with inadequate blood supply to an organ and someone with a reperfusion injury is an unmet, clinical need that this sensor addresses.

“The current methods used to diagnose a heart attack are not only time intensive, but they also have to be applied within a certain window of time to get accurate results,” said Pinar Zorlutuna, Sheehan Family Collegiate Professor of Engineering at Notre Dame. “Because our sensor targets a combination of miRNA, it can quickly diagnose more than just heart attacks without the timeline limitation.”

“The technology developed for this sensor showcases the advantage of using miRNA compared to protein-based biomarkers, the traditional diagnostic target,” said Hsueh-Chia Chang, Bayer Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Notre Dame. “Additionally, the portability and cost efficiency of this device demonstrates the potential for it to improve how heart attacks and related issues are diagnosed in clinical settings and in developing countries.”

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