Stem Cell Treatment Helps Heart Attack Victims

A groundbreaking stem cell treatment for heart attack patients has been put to the test and researchers say the results are dramatic.

After a heart attack, an infusion of stem cells has now been shown to lessen damage to the heart muscle.

"These are not embryonic stem cells. These are what we call adult stem cells," said University of Miami researcher Dr. Joshua Hare. "They come from the bone marrow of healthy adults. We can make up to 5,000 doses of cells from a single bone marrow donor."

Hare led the study of 53 patients who suffered a heart attack. Within one to 10 days after the heart attack, those who received one intravenous infusion of stem cells were compared to a placebo group.

After six months, echocardiograms were used to assess the different groups.

"We were just looking to see if the cells were going to be safe for these heart attack victims to receive. To our great surprise, we found that they were more than safe -- that the patients who received the cells did better," Hare said. "Their heart function was better. The electrical instability of the heart was improved. Their lung function was better."

It's estimated 700,000 Americans will suffer a heart attack this year. As a result, many of these patients will develop additional heart and lung problems.

"A single treatment with the cells right after the heart attack reduces your need to seek medical care over the next six-month period of time," Hare said.

Pending FDA approval, two new trials will soon test similar adult stem cells in more heart attack patients. UM's Jackson Memorial Hospital will be one of the sites.

source:www.nbc6.net