Adult stem cells are found throughout the body and are active in the natural healing process for healing following injury. Researchers are now using high concentrations of these cells, extracted from blood, to build new arteries in adult patients. The technology, called VesCell, was developed by TheraVitae, has the potential to help millions who are suffering from coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure.
"What we do is actually take them out and find the right amount of cells and specifically put them into targeted areas," said Dr. Amit Patel, director of the Cardiac Stem Cell Therapies at The McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center told ABC News.
The Institute has results from 100 patients that indicate within just three months after the stem cell injections, patients see a significant improvement in blood flow to the heart. "The heart muscle itself actually doubles its ability to squeeze or contract," the ABC News article reported.
Patel explained that the technology could be applied to patients who are receiving stents, who are recovering from coronary bypass surgery, patients with heart failure.
In Thailand, Chaophya Hospital is now treating no-option heart disease patients VesCell therapy developed by TheraVitae. The proprietary technique is aimed at helping those with coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure utilizing adult stem cells harvested from the patient’s own blood.
Robert Clark, TheraVitae's Chairman, comments, "Our message is that, unlike the cell cloning technique announced in South Korea ..., which has serious moral and ethical implications, and will probably take years to develop into a viable therapy, our technique is helping patients today."
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