US researchers have shown that stem cell therapy could help repair failing hearts. Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine looked at 20 patients with heart failure. They found those who had stem cells injected into damaged parts of their hearts were able to pump more blood than those who had surgery alone. Researcher Professor Robert Kormos said the findings could ‘revolutionise’ treatment. Previous studies have shown the potential of adult stem cells to encourage heart muscle and blood vessel growth. This is the first study that actually demonstrates this. Stem cells are immature cells that can be programmed to grow as other types of tissue, such as heart muscle.
