Published on Nov 06, 2012
In this Wednesday, Oct 31, 2012 photo provided by the University of Miami, Dr Joshua M. Hare, director of the Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, performs a heart biopsy, a preliminary step in one of several cardiac stem cell trials at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Researchers are reporting a key advance in using stem cells to repair hearts damaged by heart attacks. -- PHOTO: AP
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Researchers are reporting a key advance in using stem cells to repair hearts damaged by heart attacks.
In a study, stem cells donated by strangers proved as safe and effective as patients' own cells for helping restore heart tissue.
The work involved just 30 patients in Miami and Balitmore, but proves the concept that anyone's cells can be used to treat such cases. Doctors are excited because this suggests that stem cells could be banked for off-the-shelf use after heart attacks, just as blood is kept on hand now.
Results were discussed on Monday at an American Heart Association conference in California and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Continued here:
Stem cells from strangers can repair hearts: Study