A new study has revealed that transplanting own stem cells into heart of severe angina patients lessens their pain and improves their ability to walk.
The largest national stem cell study for heart disease showed that transplant subjects also experienced fewer deaths than those who didn't receive stem cells.
According to researchers, the loss of these blood vessels contributes to the pain of chronic, severe angina.
"This is the first study to show significant benefit in pain reduction and improved exercise capacity in this population with very advanced heart disease," said principal investigator Dr. Douglas Losordo at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
However, he cautioned that the findings of the 25-site trial with 167 subjects, require verification in a larger, Phase III study.
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Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is one of the most common types of adult leukemia and is considered as one of the ‘good cancers’.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is one of the most common types of adult leukemia and is considered as one of the ‘good cancers’.
Twelve months after the procedure, the transplant subjects were able to double their improvement on a treadmill compared to the placebo group.
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In the trial, the CD34+ cells were injected into 10 locations in the heart muscle.
A sophisticated electromechanical mapping technology identified where the heart muscle is alive but not functioning, because it is not receiving enough blood supply.
The findings of the study were presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2009.
Source-ANI
RAS
