Study: Adult Stem Cells for Heart Repair?
Posted on: Friday, 2 February 2007, 18:00 CST
U.S. researchers said this week they are taking on a first-of-its-kind question: Can a patient's own stem cells treat heart disease?
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago are taking part in the Autologous Cellular Therapy CD34-Chronic Myocardial Ischemia (ACT34-CMI) Trial, a phase 2 study that will assess whether blood-derived, CD34(plus) stem cells can improve the symptoms and outcomes in patients with chronic myocardial ischemia (CMI), a severe form of coronary artery disease.
What we're hoping is that these stem cells will be able to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels to bring more blood and oxygen to the heart muscle, so that these patients will have a better quality of life and less chest pain, said study investigator Gary Schaer, director of the Rush Cardiac Catheterization Lab.
In the study, investigators will collect from each patient's bloodstream an enriched preparation of cells that contain CD34(plus) stem cells.
After processing, the stem cells will be introduced directly into the areas of a patient's heart that have been identified as having poor blood flow.
A special catheter that operates as a global positioning system will identify the areas of the heart that need the stem cell treatment, the researchers said.
The placebo-controlled study will enroll adults with severe coronary artery disease who are currently on the maximum medical therapy and who are not suitable for conventional procedures to improve blood flow to the heart such as angioplasty, stents or coronary artery bypass surgery.
Rush is among 15 to 20 sites that are taking part in the study.
Patients with CMI -- marked by narrowing of coronary arteries that restrict blood flow to the heart -- continue to have insufficient blood flow, despite optimal medical treatments, the researchers said.
Source: United Press International
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