Friday, June 22, 2007

Study Will Test Stem Cells Against Heart Attack

Source: HealthDay News
Posted: June 22, 2007 10:00 AM CDT

Summary:

HealthDay News reports on a new clinical trial using patients' own bone marrow stem cells to attempt to repair heart muscle damage from a heart attack:

"In a first-of-a-kind study, patients who've recently had a major heart attack and are undergoing coronary bypass surgery will be injected with selected stem cells harvested from their own bone marrow. The study of 60 patients by researchers at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom will examine whether those stem cells can repair heart muscle cells damaged by heart attack. Specifically, the researchers want to determine if the stem cells can prevent late scar formation and the impaired heart contraction that can result from that scarring."