Evaluating Autologous Stem Cell Heart Therapies

Even comparatively crude autologous stem cell transplants provide benefits for heart disease patients: "The largest national stem cell study for heart disease showed the first evidence that transplanting a potent form of adult stem cells into the heart muscle of subjects with severe angina results in less pain and an improved ability to walk. The transplant subjects also experienced fewer deaths than those who didn't receive stem cells. In the 12-month Phase II, double-blind trial, subjects' own purified stem cells, called CD34+ cells, were injected into their hearts in an effort to spur the growth of small blood vessels that make up the microcirculation of the heart muscle. Researchers believe the loss of these blood vessels contributes to the pain of chronic, severe angina. ... The stem cell transplant is the first therapy to produce an improvement in severe angina subjects' ability to walk on a treadmill. Twelve months after the procedure, the transplant subjects were able to double their improvement on a treadmill compared to the placebo group."

Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117184541.htm

Comments

Can stem cells be used to repair a heart where half the heart is dead as in my case and how much will it cost

Posted by: Jonathan van der schyff at May 11th, 2012 9:37 AM

Is this treatment available now in the United States or anywhere else in the world?

Posted by: William Malehorn at November 4th, 2012 5:30 AM
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