When Owen Casey suffered a heart attack and was urgently transferred to Cork University Hospital; unsurprisingly he had not been expecting it. Pre-operating theatre he was given the opportunity to participate in a new trial to test if a new injectable therapy improves heart muscle and performance after a heart attack. The results have since shown that this injection may help repair hearts after a major heart attack.

‘Taking part in the trial has been a very positive experience. When you have a heart attack out of the blue, like I did, it is great to have extra checks and the confidence that if anything shows up it will be identified quickly. I met with the same people regularly, so the continuity of care has been excellent as well. I feel very good now and while I don’t have the same stamina that I used to, I know that taking part in the trial has had a positive effect for my heart’.

Link Back: The trial Owen took part in was the first of its’ kind in the world. It was led by Prof Noel Caplice from University College Cork, who received a Translational Research Award from the Health Research Board and Science Foundation Ireland.