http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7018514055?Extra%20Stem%20Cells%20Following%20From%20Surgery%20Could%20Be%20Used%20To%20Repair%20Damaged%20Hearts

For the first time ever scientists were able to extract vital stem cells from sections of vein removed for heart bypass surgery. Researchers found that these stem cells could potentially stimulate new blood vessels to grow in damaged heart muscles after a heart attack.

Nearly 20,000 people annually undergo heart bypass surgery which involves taking a piece of vein from the person's leg and grafting it onto a diseased coronary artery to divert blood around a blockage or narrowing. Typically a longer section of vein than is needed for the bypass is taken and stem cells can be found in this section. In test studies on tests in mice, the cells proved able to stimulate new blood vessels to grow into injured leg muscles.

Paolo Madeddu, Professor of Experimental Cardiovascluar Professor Madeddu who led a research team investigating the theory said, "This is the first time that anyone has been able to extract stem cells from sections of vein left over from heart bypass operations."

He goes on to say, "These cells might make it possible for a person having a bypass to also receive a heart treatment using their body's own stem cells.

Researchers believe they can also multiply these cells in the lab to make millions more stem cells, which could potentially be stored and used to treat thousands of patients.

Additionally it brings the possibility of 'cell therapy' for damaged hearts one step closer and, importantly, quite possibly could lead to the development of drugs which could achieve the same end.

Apr.26, 2010 (AHN)