Encouraging News Regarding Cell Treatments For Lower Limb Ischemia And Repopulating The Weakened Myocardium

Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Article Date: 24 Nov 2008 - 9:00 PST

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As presented at the VEITHsymposium by Alan Dardik, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, well-publicized clinical trials that used growth factors for therapeutic angiogenesis (the spontaneous or drug-induced growth of new blood vessels) led to disappointing results, with negative trials for FGF and VEGF injections in patients with claudication (pain or fatigue in arms and legs due to poor supply of oxygen to the muscles) or in need of limb salvage but without other options.

However, the exciting potential of stem cells to provide a more balanced, and perhaps optimal, cocktail of growth factors capable of both angiogenesis - small vessel growth - as well as arteriogenesis - large vessel growth - has reopened the field with additional possibilities for treatment and trials. Initial exciting reports and small series have been reported using both bone marrow-derived stem cells as well as peripherally circulating stem cells as sources of stem cells.

Current clinical trials have yet to define the optimal cell sources, type and purpose for in vitro culture, as well as the method of delivery of the cells to the patient.

As additional advances will be made in the field - and with the Obama administration likely to ease restrictions on research currently put in place by the current administration - it is likely that stem cell treatments will become a useful option for the vascular surgeon to treat patients.

VEITH SYMPOSIUM - New York, November 19th to 23rd

Now in its fourth decade, VEITH SYMPOSIUM provides vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, interventional cardiologists and other vascular specialists with a unique and exciting format to learn the most current information about what is new and important in the treatment of vascular disease. The 5-day event features rapid-fire presentations from world renowned vascular specialists with emphasis on the latest advances, changing concepts in diagnosis and management, pressing controversies and new techniques.

VEITHsymposium is sponsored by Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.

www.veithsymposium.org

Source
Pauline T. Mayer
www.ptmhcm.com