Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an inherited disease that weakens the muscles of the body (Tortora 2012). Each year, approximately 2,500 people around the world are born with this devastating disorder. It affects mostly males, and many patients are confined to a wheelchair before the age of 12. Most of them are dead by their late teens or early 20s. All patients who manage to survive to the age of 21 develop a heart disease known as dilated cardiomyopathy that ensures their demise. Fortunately, a new invention may be a breakthrough in the treatment of the disease.

The Cincinnati Children’s Heart Institute has developed a ventricular assist device that is designed to help a weakened heart pump blood to other parts of the body. Though these devices are relatively new and still in the experimental stage, it did not deter Jason Williams, a 29 year old with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, from being the first patient to have one implanted in his chest. It was actually one of his only hopes for prolonging his survival, since Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients are not candidates for heart transplants or other treatment options available to patients with other kinds of muscular dystrophy. Doctors plan to monitor the device’s effect on Williams, in order to determine if it should be made available to others with the disease.

Ventricular assist devices could enable thousands of men born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy each year to live better lives. No longer would they have to endure the agony of their bodies slowly shutting down. Their hearts would be able to function properly, and they would not succumb to the disease. Many men might finally get to experience the joys of growing old and leading normal lives.

Sources:

J. Tortora, Gerald, and Bryan Derrickson. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 13th ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hoboken NJ, USA  2012. Page 359. Print.

“Docs: Heart Device Might Be Breakthrough for Muscular Dystrophy.” U.S. News Health. HealthDay, 17 2012. Web. 26 Oct 2012.