Muscle patch made from stem cells could treat heart failure
New ScientistFEB 13
The heart patch represents a revolutionary breakthrough in treating heart failure and offers the first-ever possibility of effectively regenerating human heart tissue. The patches contain young muscle, with the characteristics of a heart between four and eight years old, providing a viable solution for patients who have exhausted other treatment options.
This potential treatment still faces significant challenges, including incomplete maturation of heart muscle cells and slow establishment of blood flow. Additionally, the requirement for immunosuppressant drugs, and the three—to six-month waiting period for therapeutic effects limits its immediate applicability for patients who desperately need urgent medical intervention.