Do stem cells cure congestive heart failure?

Maybe: There are several promising studies using stem cells for a variety of conditions. New, high tech treatments get a lot of coverage on the news, but we are still probably years away from seeing this in the cardiologists’ office.

Not yet: Research is being done with many organs trying to restore normal function and repair damged organs by introducing stem cells that eventually will replace injured cells. This work is very preliminary and only being done in animals so far. It may be a while before human trials are done and the safety of this approach established.

Possibly: Use of adult mesenchymal stem-stromal cells (mscs) are currently in clinical trial in us/internationally. Trend is toward use of fat derived mscs, havested by liposuction, isolated and concentrated in tissue culture. Early reports suggest significant improvement in neurological, autoimmune and organ functions. Now in advanced human clinical trials, suggests improvement in function of heart.