New cardiac procedure tested
Monday 20th July 2009
A new cardiac procedure involving stem cells has been pioneered in the US.
Scientists at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute used a patient's own heart tissue grown from the cells to repair and re-grow healthy muscle.
The stem cells were injected back into the patient's heart, which had suffered an arrest.
According to Dr Eduardo Marban, director of the institute, the procedure marks a "new and exciting era" in the field of cardiac healthcare.
He added: "Five years ago, we didn't even know the heart had its own distinct type of stem cells. Now we are exploring how to harness such stem cells to help patients heal their own damaged hearts."
The procedure is described as minimally-invasive and it was completed last month.
Recently, it was revealed that a girl who had a heart supplied by a five-month-old donor grafted on to her own at the age of two now has the function of her own heart back.
Hannah Clark, who was born with a rare heart condition, was treated at Great Ormond Street hospital.
Written by Megan Smith
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