Heart failure has historically been irreversible, but a new study suggests that could change. At the University of Utah, scientists used a new gene therapy that reversed heart failure in animals.

New research shows the gene therapy didn’t just prevent heart failure from worsening in four lab pigs, but actually prompted hearts to repair and grow stronger. “Even though the animals are still facing stress on the heart to induce heart failure,

In a new study, failing hearts nearly returned to full function in laboratory pigs after they received an experimental gene therapy.