Bone Marrow Stem Cells Don’t Repair Heart Muscle
September 20, 2006 by Lei
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Three separate studies published in The New England Journal of Medicine have shown little to no effect of bone marrow-derived progenitor cells on repairing the heart muscle following a myocardial infarction.
The studies focused on damage caused by heart attacks, which weaken the heart muscle and reduce its ability to pump blood. Researchers looked at whether stem cells could remedy damage to the main pumping chamber.
In each study, stem cells were infused into the heart through a cardiac catheterization. A tiny balloon momentarily blocked regular blood flow into the heart and stem cells were injected in an attempt to give them a couple of minutes to try to take root.
Success was measured by changes in the amount of blood pumped out with each heartbeat.
Many scientists, including Dr. Robert S. Schwartz, are now saying that these results strongly suggest that research into using embryonic stem cells is the way to go. Adult or cord-blood stem cells do not improve heart function to the extent necessary to improve a heart attack patient’s quality of life. There is concern that disreputable companies will try to exploit patients who are misled to think that bone marrow or cord blood can be used to cure chronic illnesses, like heart disease.
Washington Post, September 20, 2006
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