“Latest Stem Cells News”

Doctors with the University of Louisville and officials with Jewish Hospital Friday introduced the recipient of one of the world’s first adult cardiac stem cell infusion to treat congestive heart failure.

Michael Jones, 66, had his own cardiac stem cells injected directly into heart scar tissue, using a cardiac catheterization procedure, according to a news release.

Dr. Mark Slaughter, chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Louisville and director of the Heart Transplant and Mechanical Assist Device Program at Jewish Hospital, performed coronary artery bypass surgery on Jones on March 23, according to the release.

Jones had congestive heart failure and permanent scarring of the heart resulting from multiple blocked arteries.
The cardiac stem cells injected into the scar tissue were removed from a portion of the upper chamber of Jones’ heart.

The tissue was sent to Harvard University and Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, where the cardiac stem cells were grown.

The infusion was performed at Jewish Hospital by Dr. Sohail Ikram, a University of Louisville professor of medicine and director and chief of invasive and interventional cardiology at Jewish Hospital.

Leader of the study was Dr. Roberto Bolli, Jewish Hospital Heart and Lung Institute Distinguished Chair in Cardiology and director of the University of Louisville’s Institute for Molecular Cardiology.
In the release, Bolli said the intent of the injection is to help the heart regenerate tissue and function.
The university and Jewish Hospital continue to enroll patients in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved clinical trial.

from Business First