Stem cells derived from bone marrow improves heart function in some patients

New research presented at the 2012 American College of Cardiology Meeting has shown that stem cells derived from a patient’s own bone marrow can help heart function. In some patients with heart failure, the function of the left ventricle was improved when they were injected with their own stem cells. Researchers observed that when 92 patients received a one-time injection of either a placebo or 100 million stem cells derived from the bone marrow in their hips, those injected with the stem cells experienced 2.7 percent improved ejection fraction, the percentage of blood pumped out of the left ventricle during each contraction, compared to the placebo group. In patients younger than 62, the improvement was 4.7 percent. The principal investigators of the study explained that even though 2.7 percent does not seem like a large number, it is statistically significant and could be a way to improve heart function in chronic heart failure patients who have no other options. 

Check out this video to learn more about this research.