Researchers have developed a new method for delivering stem cells to damaged heart muscle following a heart attack. The breakthrough could help create a successful stem cell therapy for heart failure.

The preliminary study has had its results published in the journal Stem Cells Translational Medicine.  Researchers found the new stem cell tactic to be safe in the 48 patients they treated. Twelve months after the treatment, patients showed an improvement in their heart function compared to the patients who did not undergo the procedure.

Lead researcher Dr. Amit Patel suggests that more testing is required to determine if the new stem cell tactic can significantly improve health outcomes.

Using stem cells to repair injured heart muscle has been a goal amongst researchers for a number of years. There are some significant hurdles including finding a way to deliver the stem cells to the heart.

The new technique used stem cells from a patient’s bone marrow, which were infused into the heart via the coronary sinus vein. Previous approaches used coronary arteries to deliver the stem cells, often with mixed results.

Other attempts to deliver stem cells to the heart have involved directly injected them into the heart muscle during surgery. The limitation with direct injection is that only a small number can be transfused safely.  The new technique will allow for larger doses. 

Researchers now understand that the new technique is safer and more efficient than previous methods, but don’t know how effective the stem cells are once they reach the heart. Upon reaching the heart muscle the stem cells create hormones, generate blood cells and attempt to repair the heart. Further research is required to understand if the technique can help create a successful stem cell therapy for heart failure.

From: Stem Cell Tactic Shows Promise for Heart Failure

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