Stem cells help regenerate damaged heart

[pwaldo]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_16...damaged-heart/

There is remarkable new evidence that stem cells can repair a damaged heart and the early goings suggest it is a powerful effect. The findings were presented at a meeting of the American Heart Association on Monday, but CBS News has been following this therapy for two years.

It is important to note that this is just the beginning of trials for this treatment and it is not clear where all of this will lead or how many patients it might help. CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker reports on what happened to the very first patient who received this treatment.

When we first met Ken Milles two years ago, he had suffered a serious heart attack.

"The artery that was 98 percent blocked -- that particular type of blockage is called the widow-maker," he said, "because it's the one where typically when people get it, (claps hands) it's over. They're dead.

At age 39, with 30 percent of his heart damaged, he faced a diminished life of limited exertion and shortness of breath.

Milles was one of 25 volunteers in this small study. Seventeen got stem cells and eight control subjects got standard heart care. All the stem cell recipients had their heart attack scars reduced most dramatically -- on average almost 50 percent -- damaged muscle replaced by new healthy heart tissue. The eight control subjects saw no improvement. Ken Milles had better than 50 percent improvement.

"People have been talking about stem cells and their regenerative potential for a long time," said Marban, "but most of it really has been wishful thinking. This is where the rubber actually hits the road."

Whitaker asked Milles: "No shortness of breath, no pain, no anything?"

"Never," he responded.

Doctors say his heart looks almost normal again. Ken Milles said he feels so normal, he never even thinks about his heart.

"It's like someone gave me a magic pill," he said. "I felt better all over suddenly. It's science fiction basically to me. That's what it feels like."

[gatorboymike]

Science!

[mrveggieman]

Even though I am 100% against abortion unless in cases of rape, incest or if the mother's/child's life is in danger, I am not against stem cell research. What do they want to do with the stuff? Throw it away? It still isn't going to bring the unborn child back. At least someone could have a better life because of the child's sacrafice.

[sanfran22]

Even though I am 100% against abortion unless in cases of rape, incest or if the mother's/child's life is in danger, I am not against stem cell research. What do they want to do with the stuff? Throw it away? It still isn't going to bring the unborn child back. At least someone could have a better life because of the child's sacrafice.

Can't you get it from the cord blood?? What's wrong with that?

[mrveggieman]

Can't you get it from the cord blood?? What's wrong with that?

I'm not an expert on the subject so I can't say anything is wrong or not wrong with it. My point is that since abortion is currently legal in the United States not having stem cell research is not going to do anything to stop abortion and is just a waste of tissue that could be used to turn a tragic situation into something a little more positive.

[Hilfiger1975]

Stem cells? Isn't that stuff you throw out before you roll a tree up? =)

[sanfran22]

My point was many say the cord blood is better. Why not use that instead?

[mrveggieman]

My point was many say the cord blood is better. Why not use that instead?

I'm not a medical expert but I am all for doing what is best medically. The question that I would like to throw out there if it pleases the panel is why do a lot of people have a problem with stem cell research? The babies are not being aborted just for research purposes unlike animals that are killed only for research purposes. Can someone please explain their beef with stem cell research. Thanks.

[imronron]

This procedure was done with adult stem-cells which have some proven results.
Sacrificial child stem-cells have not had the same results(other than dead babies)
Another question- is child sacrifice something we want to be a part of? Which one of our children are you willing to sacrifice?

[mrveggieman]

This procedure was done with adult stem-cells which have some proven results.
Sacrificial child stem-cells have not had the same results(other than dead babies)
Another question- is child sacrifice something we want to be a part of? Which one of our children are you willing to sacrifice?

I'm against sacraficing anyone's child. However if there is tissues that can be used after the fact for good why not use them instead of letting them going to waste. That is just like saying current death row inmates cannot donate their organs. They are already comdemmed and the person they killed are not coming back either. Why not get some good out of the tragedy.