Summary
- For the trial researchers used a special type of stem cell designed to support the growth of heart muscle cells. The patients’ own cells were changed into these specialized stem cells and then delivered into the body.
- Heart function improved After one year, 9 of the 10 patients who received the stem cell treatment showed significant improvements in heart function. The other group did not show similar improvements.
- Researchers say more research is needed to understand the long term benefits and possible risks before this treatment can be widely used for heart failure patients.
Chinese researchers have reported encouraging results from a new stem cell therapy for people with severe heart failure.
In a small clinical trial the treatment helped improve heart function in 9 out of 10 patients. The study was carried out by researchers at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital and involved 10 patients with heart failure.
What is heart failure?
Heart failure is a long-term condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. It does not mean that the heart has completely stopped working.
Instead the heart becomes weaker and does not work as well as it should.
Current treatments mainly focus on controlling symptoms and slowing the condition from getting worse.
How did the stem cell therapy work?
For the trial researchers used a special type of stem cell designed to support the growth of heart muscle cells. The patients’ own cells were changed into these specialized stem cells and then delivered into the body.
The researchers compared the results with another group of patients who underwent bypass surgery.
In total 20 patients were monitored using heart scans laboratory tests and other medical assessments.
Heart function improved
After one year, 9 of the 10 patients who received the stem cell treatment showed significant improvements in heart function. The other group did not show similar improvements.
Patients receiving the therapy also reported fewer symptoms including less chest tightness and breathing difficulty. Their performance in the six minute walking test also improved significantly compared with the other group.
Researchers also found better blood flow through the heart after the treatment.
More research Is needed
No serious side effects were reported during the trial. However the study was very small so the results need to be confirmed in larger clinical trials.
Researchers say more research is needed to understand the long term benefits and possible risks before this treatment can be widely used for heart failure patients.
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