Light Therapy Shows Promise in Reducing Heart Damage After Non-Cardiac Surgery

Recent research indicates that intense light therapy administered after non-cardiac surgical procedures can significantly protect the heart from injury. A study conducted by CU Anschutz Medical Campus found that patients receiving 30 minutes of bright light at sunrise over five days experienced an increase in the protective protein PER2 and elevated levels of ANGPTL4, both of which bolster vascular health. Concurrently, these patients exhibited lower levels of troponin, a biomarker associated with heart damage and increased mortality risk. The findings suggest that bright light enhances circadian rhythms, which in turn reinforce cardiac resilience, especially in patients over 45 who are at higher risk for myocardial injury post-surgery. In animal models, bright light exposure not only strengthened the endothelium but also activated pathways involving PER2 and ANGPTL4. Notably, the therapy's benefits were observed even when PER2 was absent, hinting at alternative protective mechanisms like ANGPTL4 administration. The research reinforces the potential of light therapy as a novel, non-invasive approach to prevent myocardial injuries, which currently lack specific treatments and are linked to about 20% of complications after surgery. Preliminary trials in humans mirror the positive results seen in animals, with the hope that further clinical studies will cement intense light therapy as a standard protective strategy in surgical care.