Stem cells help regenerate damaged heart

[Kadie]

November 14, 2011 6:44 PM

Stem cells help regenerate damaged heart
By Bill Whitaker

(CBS News) There is remarkable new evidence that stem cells can repair a damaged heart and the early goings suggest it is a powerful effect. The findings were presented at a meeting of the American Heart Association on Monday, but CBS News has been following this therapy for two years.

It is important to note that this is just the beginning of trials for this treatment and it is not clear where all of this will lead or how many patients it might help. CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker reports on what happened to the very first patient who received this treatment.

snip...
Milles was one of 25 volunteers in this small study. Seventeen got stem cells and eight control subjects got standard heart care. All the stem cell recipients had their heart attack scars reduced most dramatically -- on average almost 50 percent -- damaged muscle replaced by new healthy heart tissue. The eight control subjects saw no improvement. Ken Milles had better than 50 percent improvement.

"People have been talking about stem cells and their regenerative potential for a long time," said Marban, "but most of it really has been wishful thinking. This is where the rubber actually hits the road."

more...
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57324592/stem-cells-help-regenerate-damaged-heart/

[Lasher]

1. What wonderful news!

I hope in my lifetime to see paralyzed people regain all their muscle function through this type of therapy.