Question Title: VEGF and/or Gene Therapy

I have been researching new therapy for my husband and we have received information
from Dr. Issner at Boston's St. Elizabeth Hospital regarding gene therapy
and I have reviewed information from Dr. Timothy D. Henry at Hennepin County
Medical Center regarding VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor). Both
procedures hopefully result in the formation of new blood vessels within the
heart to improve heart function and blood flow. However, we do not fully under-
stand the problem with diabetic retinopathy and my husband's inability to be
a candidate due to diabetic retinopathy. At this point, he has been declared
legally blind although he does have a minimal amount of vision left. What
happens to the eye if he participates in one of the above procedures? Would he
lose the sight he has left? Would his eyes rupture?

Or in the alternative, are there any new studies being done with lasers and
possibly repairing damaged vessels with laser rather than the injection of
VEGF or other gene therapy, thus not risking further injury to the eyes?

Any information you could provide would be most appreciated. Thanks again for
your time.

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Dear Brenda

VEGF causes new blood vessels to form. Potentially, in someone with diabetic retinopathy, new blood vessels could form on the retina, causing further deterioration in vision.

The laser procedure called PMR could be useful to create new channels for blood flow in the heart.

Both of the above procedures are done at the Cleveland Clinic. If you would like, you could make an appointment to be seen by Dr. Ellis here at the Clinic. He is the director of the catheterization laboratory and a pioneer in these treatments.

I hope this is useful. Feel free to write back. I wish you the best of luck.

If you would like to set up an appointment with one of our cardiologists here at the Cleveland Clinic please feel free to call 1-800-CCF-CARE.

Information provided in the Heart Forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only. Actual diagnosis and treatment of any particular medical condition can only be made by your physician(s).

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