Posted on 08/27/2006 7:28:56 PM PDT by Coleus
For people suffering from heart failure, simply walking to the mailbox can seem like an impossible challenge. But now, an experimental heart surgery may provide dramatic relief. The innovative source of this treatment is a patient's own stem cells. A small scar can be life changing. It means for the first time in six years Richard Howell is enjoying retirement. For six years, heart failure left Richard too weak to leave his living room. And it put him at risk for other serious health problems, including organ failure. Richard Howell: "I'd get up and walk across the kitchen; I would be short of breath." With his condition worsening and no treatment helping, Richard agreed to an experimental heart surgery offered at five medical centers around the country.
Stem cells have been taken from Richard's thigh muscle and injected into his heart.
Stephen Ellis, M.D. Cleveland Clinic Cardiologist: "Mr. Howell received 18 separate injections encompassing about 200-million cells." We all have stem cells. Researchers are now learning some of these cells can be taken from a healthy part of the body and used in a part of the body that's struggling, like Richard's heart.
Dr. Ellis: "By giving these cells, the hope is the heart muscle will function better, will contract better." Researchers won't know that without a long-term study of Richard and dozens like him. But they do know about earlier risks with the surgery.
Dr. Ellis: "Some of the early patients in fact have had arrhythmias or bad rapid heart rhythms that are potentially lethal." Richard understood the risks when he agreed to this experimental procedure.
Richard Howell: "Whether it works or doesn't work I've got to give it a try. I can't go on the rest of my life like this."
Six weeks after surgery, Richard is out of his living room and on the beach. While researchers don't know how long his heart will stay this strong, Richard says he's happy for this second chance to have a healthy retirement. Researchers say it will take at least another two years to see if this experimental heart surgery really works for people with heart failure. If it shows benefits, researchers say they will then seek fast-track approval from the FDA.
FYI...
Dr Dean Edel wouldn't be welcomed on FR. Even though he's much more socially liberal, he's usually makes pretty good points.
Yeah could be tuff getting to the phone and dialing 911 too.
The thigh bone connected to the heart bone...!
Much better headline than the last stem cell article you posted. There are many promising treatments using adult or cord blood cells, and none yet using embryonic cells.
But too many people think that "stem cells" means embryonic stem cells, and I think that misunderstanding colors the whole debate.
Thank you VERY MUCH for this post!!
It is looking like I have heart failure, among other things. I check into our hospital for my second heart function test this Wednesday. If the tests confirm that I have CHF, I will discuss this option with my cardiologist.
I wonder how effective this would be used on other organs like the liver or the lungs? For that matter how well does it work with nerves?
you may want to try a food supplement called Coenzyme Q10.
it's worked wonders and is very safe and found in many foods, that's why it's also called ubiquinone. I hope you are feeling better.
What is wrong with this article?
Stem cells injected into CNS safe and feasible for neurological disorder therapy
Many Liberals - and most Liberals of my acquaintance - assume that "stem cells" mean embryonic stem cells. They think that GWB has stopped all promising research using stem cells.
Those are both misleading statements, and I dislike any headlines that allow the Liberals to promote those myths.
Adding the word "Adult" or even "Cord Blood" doesn't make the headline much longer, and it does make it harder for the Liberals to make the case for embryonic stem cells.
I take Coreg for high blood pressure and have not had any side effects. Has your Dad had a heart attack or reduced heart function?
He apparently has had a few, very minor ones, that he wasn't even aware he'd had.
Thank you.....my Bride will look for that tomorrow.
If people read the article they will find that it's usually about adult stem cells discussed on the FR. If one will read the keywords usually the word adultstemcells is there. Changing titles may be against the FR TOS and these stem cell threads usually get about 200 hits. So I wouldn't "worry" so much about the title since very few people read these threads. You may want to show your liberal friends this post http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1689800/posts?page=25#25
They left out the biggest and most impactful change he made in his lifestyle. He quit watching ABC and switched entirely to Fox. THAT'S why he's doing better!!!!
Do the research on CoQ10 - it convinced me - I was left with CHF after an attack over 8 years ago...the first medications I was put on brought about no improvement. I couldn't use stairs - or get out of the tub by myself...the mailbox was a daunting trip.
I searched the net, using only credible sights - found out about CoQ10, Hawthorne and folic acid - to mention 3 of the supplements I take. I also found a more promising drug, printed out the info (from the Mayo Clinic, I believe,) took it to my doctor and, bless his heart, he put me on it.
Since the supplements and the changed med - I have gotten progressively better. I can "do" stairs, get out of the tub - did a 3 hour walking tour of Oak Island (Nova Scotia) this month...and no huffing and puffing!
My doctor is puzzled...
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