Doctors Use Patients' Own Stem Cells to Build New Blood Vessels

[papau]

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Health/story?id=1002059&page=1

Doctors Use Patients' Own Stem Cells to Build New Blood Vessels
Therapy Could Help Millions of Heart Patients Each Year

Aug. 2, 2005 - Adult stem cells are found throughout the body -- in the brain, bones, muscle, skin and blood -- which help heal the body after injury. But now, researchers are using high concentrations of these cells to actually build new arteries in adult patients. <snip>

Results in more than 100 patients show that, within just three months after the stem cell injections, patients see a significant improvement in blood flow to the heart. The heart muscle itself actually doubles its ability to squeeze or contract. <snip>

"It could be patients who are receiving stents, who are recovering from coronary bypass surgery, patients with heart failure," said Patel. "All of these patients have the potential to benefit from this therapy." <snip>

Doctors at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital have started injecting adult stem cells into the leg to grow new arteries there. Jeremy Kotner, 27, had so little blood flow in his right leg he was at risk of having it amputated. <snip>

[Another Bill C.]

1. Wow! If I can only hold on for

a couple more years, I can let something else kill me. I have a blockage that can't be opened and some heart damage.

[papau]

2. blockage that can't be opened can be offset by collateral circulation -

like I am told saved my life -

my closures includes spots in the "Widow maker" area.

I think we both have to hold on for a few more years so we can die heart healthy

:-)