Stem cell therapy for heart diseases has gained momentum in India, in recent years. Stem cell therapy in Delhi has also been in news with several research and studies going on in this field. Stem cells which are considered the “force of nature” play a vital role in wound healing, organ growth and repair as well as rejuvenating the entire being. Stem cells which are the ‘basic cells’ of our bodies are the foundation cells for every organ, tissue and cells of the body. The first stem cells originate within the developing embryo. Stem cells from the bone marrow can develop into cardiac muscles as well as liver, nerve, fat and skin tissue.
For any ailment afflicting the heart, heart transplantation is seen as the final word. But with the growing success of stem cell treatment in india, there is another option available to heart patients. Ensuring quality life for heart patients from the first stage of medication until the final stage of treatment is the main intention of stem cell therapy. In stem cell therapy for heart diseases, stem cells are collected after filtering bone marrow which is then injected to the heart. Research is going on to find out whether the stem cells injected are transformed into heart cells or blood cells. But the treatment has been found to be a big success. Stem cell therapy in Delhi is being undertaken besides, Mumbai and Tamil Nadu.
Stem cell therapy in Delhi has reached new heights. For the first time in the country, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi has used stem cell therapy on 85 patients suffering from Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) and met with reasonable success. Dr. Sandeep Seth, Associate Professor at the Department of Cardiology, AIIMS, said that half of the 85 patients responded well to the treatment and their quality of life has definitely improved. He further added, “The findings are now being published in the coming issues of Journal of American College of Cardiology”.
Delhi based Cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Naresh Trehan also aired similar views. He said,” We have treated a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy last year with stem cells. Now after a year, the patient can walk for six minutes just like a normal person. We are hopeful that our efforts will prove fruitful”. Dr. Trehan further said that recent studies and surveys show that people in India are more prone to heart diseases compared to people residing in other countries. He also said that India is fast becoming a centre of heart diseases but added that they could be reversed by taking proper care of health.
Since heart transplant is not an easy surgery as it requires a donor, efforts are being made to treat the patient of dilated cardiomyopathy with stem cells. The stem cells are taken from the bone marrow and through retrograde profusion technique are infused into the arteries of the heart.
