http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_959288.html?menu=news.scienceanddiscovery
Microwaving the heart may soon become a routine treatment for heart rhythm disorders, according to researchers. Australian scientists say the technique is safer and more accurate than other methods, reports the BBC. The microwave device cooks abnormal areas of the heart to 55C to block abnormal rhythms from being conducted. The research of the University of Technology team from Sydney, Australia, is published in the Chemistry and Industry Magazine. In the UK, heart rhythm disorders are commonly treated with radio frequency ablation - a procedure used to selectively destroy areas of heart tissue, again by heating them. But radio frequency waves produce shallow lesions and the temperatures used can be very high. This can cause blood clots to form which can lead to complications such as stroke. Hank Chui and his team hope microwave therapy could soon be used as a stand-alone treatment. Microwaves produce deeper lesions than radio frequency waves and are easier to control and pinpoint for maximum effectiveness, they explain. "This is exactly the same as the way a microwave oven heats meat. The difference is that the microwave exposure area is controlled much more strictly and localised heating is ensured and monitored," said Mr Chui. xponent DING! Maru rob
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