New H2020 project EURO SHOCK brings hope to patients suffering from heart attack

Many have experienced it first hand or lost a loved one because of a heart attack. Cardio-vascular diseases are one of the biggest threats to public health in Europe. Every year, across the European Union, more than 4 million people lose their lives due to heart failure. In response to these hideous statistics, the EU has granted EURO SHOCK € 6.5 million to test a new treatment procedure.

EURO SHOCK unites the foremost European medical doctors of cardio-vascular diseases in their efforts to improve treatment for patients suffering from cardiogenic shock. This condition is following a heart failure and occurs when the heart pump set out and oxygenation stops. Patients with cardiogenic shock are at extremely high risk of dying with 50% mortality rate within the first 30 days.

To prevent that cardiogenic shock becomes lethal, EURO SHOCK doctors will systematically test the early use of a mechanical support device which oxygenates the blood of the patient. Preliminary scientific studies have shown that the heart – when suffering a heart attack, can benefit from the support of an extracorporeal mechanical oxygenation machine (ECMO). This machine essentially lends the heart the support it needs to recover. EURO SHOCK doctors hope that this new treatment will help increase life chances of patients with cardiogenic shock.

The new study aims, not only at improving outcomes for patients suffering from cardiogenic shock, but will also assess the cost effectiveness of this treatment compared to standard treatment and use the results of EURO SHOCK to improve the guidelines at all European hospitals.

EURO SHOCK has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 754946.The project will begin in January 2018.

- What is Cardiogenic Shock?
Cardiogenic shock is a condition occurring when your heart fails to pump enough blood around your body to meet the needs of all organs. The condition follows a severe heart attack in about 10% of all cases. This risk is mostly higher among women and elderly with these patient groups having a fifty-fifty percent survival chance with current treatment procedures.

- What is Extracorporal Membrane Oxygenation?
The medical term “Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation” is also known as “Extracorporeal Life Support”. It is a technique performed by a mechanical medical device, supporting the heart and lungs of patients, who themselves cannot meet the need for oxygenation to sustain their life.

Source: http://cordis.europa.eu/news/rcn/141963_en.html?isPermaLink=true&WT.mc_i...