Bristol Heart Institute

New heart valve could transform open heart surgery for millions of patients globally

29 June 2020

A new polymeric heart valve with a life span potentially longer than current artificial valves that would also prevent the need for the millions of patients with diseased heart valves to require life-long blood thinning tablets has been developed by scientists at the universities of Bristol and Cambridge. The team's latest in-vitro results, published in Biomaterials Science, suggest that the PoliValve could last for up to 25 years.

£1.1 million project to develop new biodegradable stents

9 April 2019

A £1.1 million project to develop biodegradable stents for patients with severe vascular disease, which affects around one million people in the UK, has started thanks to Innovate UK funding. The unique project, a collaboration between the UK-based medical device company Arterius and the Translational Biomedical Research Centre (TBRC) at the University of Bristol, will develop a new type of bioresorbable stent that prevents the complications associated with metal stents.

Study highlights stark inequality in survival after cardiac surgery between paying and NHS patients

16 December 2020

A new study has revealed paying patients are 20 per cent less likely to die or develop major complications, such as reintervention or stroke, after cardiac surgery than NHS patients – findings researchers say cannot be explained by socioeconomic factors alone.

New heart valve using plastic material is safe following six-month testing, study suggests

20 August 2025

The next generation of an artificial heart valve made from a new plastic material could be a step closer to bedside. The research, led by the Universities of Bristol and Cambridge, demonstrated that the polymer material used to make the new artificial heart valve is safe following implant in an animal model for six months.

Isabel (Liz) Luker, 1954-2019

30 October 2019

Liz Luker, former Laboratory Assistant at the Bristol Heart Institute on level 7 of the Bristol Royal Infirmary, has passed away at the age of 65. Her friend and colleague Professor Sarah George offers this remembrance, bringing together the many expressions of sadness and love from the research teams Liz worked with.

Bristol scientists to study how Porcupine could improve heart surgery

26 March 2018

Scientists at the University of Bristol are to study how stopping Porcupine – a protein named after the spiky rodent - could improve heart surgery.

Bionic pacemaker slows progression of heart failure

13 November 2019

Using brain circuits made in silicon, scientists have alleviated symptoms of heart failure by reinstating the body's natural heart rhythm. This study published in The Journal of Physiology today [Wednesday 13 November] holds great potential for designing more effective pacemakers in the future.

Anti-aging gene shown to rewind heart age by 10 years

23 January 2023

An anti-aging gene discovered in a population of centenarians has been shown to rewind the heart's biological age by 10 years. The breakthrough, published in Cardiovascular Research and led by scientists at the University of Bristol and the MultiMedica Group in Italy, offers a potential target for patients with heart failure.

Professor Sir Eric Thomas, former Bristol Vice-Chancellor, passes away

14 November 2023

Professor Sir Eric Thomas FMedSci, former Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, sadly passed away on Friday 10 November 2023 aged 70 following a short battle with cancer. He was Bristol's 12th Vice-Chancellor, and led the University for 14 years between 2001 and 2015 during a period of significant change in higher education.

Bristol researcher wins BHF Research Story of the Year for work on children’s heart plaster

7 December 2023

A University of Bristol researcher who has developed a new type of 'heart plaster' that could improve the way surgeons treat children living with congenital heart disease has won this year's British Heart Foundation (BHF) Research Story of the Year. The award is part of the charity's annual Heart Hero Awards 2023.