Sign up for our e-newsletter Stem cell treatment for heart attack patients
Belfast Telegraph, 8 November 2006DOCTORS in the UK are to treat heart attack patients with stem cells taken from their own bone marrow in a pioneering attempt to prevent death and suffering.
The 50 patients will have the stem cells injected into their hearts within the critical five hours after suffering a heart attack.
At the same time they will undergo emergency angioplasty, a procedure to open up blocked arteries.
Their progress will be compared with another 50 patients given a "dummy" injection not containing stem cells.
Stem cells are immature cells with the potential to develop into different kinds of tissue.
Those from the bone marrow have been shown to have the ability to repair heart muscle and grow new blood vessels.
The research project, the first to be supported by the UK Stem Cell Foundation, is aimed at delaying or preventing the onset of heart failure.
This occurs when the heart muscle is damaged and weakened. It is a frequent complication of heart attacks which can lead to a serious deterioration in quality of life, and sometimes death.
Patients brought to the London Chest Hospital and Heart Hospital will be recruited for the study.
Dr Anthony Mathur, consultant cardiologist at the London Chest Hospital, part of Barts and the London NHS Trust, said: "If we can demonstrate improvement in the quality of life of patients, then this will be a significant step forward in the treatment of heart disease.
"Because the stem cells are taken from the patient themselves, there are minimal ethical issues surrounding this procedure. There is also less likelihood of rejection complications."
Several small studies throughout Europe have demonstrated that an infusion can lead to improved heart function after a heart attack.
An estimated 660,000 people suffer heart attacks each year in the UK, and 108,000 die.
Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director of the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said: "In the future, stem cells could herald a new frontier for heart patients.
NEWS & EVENTS
- Allied World Supports Spinal Cord Repair
Leading global insurance and reinsurance company, Allied World Assurance Company has generously donated £15,000.
Read more - "My vision of helping the blind will become science fact"
A recent article from The Scotsman newspaper on Professor Bal Dhillon's research.
Read more - Scottish Stem Cell Scientists to Benefit from New Research Fund
Stem cell research in Scotland is set to receive an extra boost with the launch of a new Scottish stem cell research fund on 13 September 2011.
Read more - Having a Ball
Look out your dancing shoes to support a great cause! Prestigious Charity ball on 17 November 2011 at Embankment Gardens, London.
Read more - Run for Funds
Free places are available for Virgin London Marathon 2012 and Silverston Half Marathon 2012.
Read more