Coronary Blood Flow - Gene Therapy

  My Father was recently seen at Cleveland Clinic, under Dr. Michael Lauer, for testing to see if he would be a candidate for open heart surgery again.
  His first open heart surgery was done in Pittsburgh, PA.
  After testing, my Father is at to high of risk for this type of surgery again.
  My Family and I would like to find information on any experminental and/or protocol  procedures that may be of interest to his longevity.
  i.e...  Gene Therapy etc. .
  Thank you,
  Ursula
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Dear Ursula:
There are several different experimental protocols for people with severe coronary artery blockages.  There is a trial starting up that gives patients growth factors, substances that cause angiogenesis (new blood vessels sprouting).  There is another trial that uses lasers to create new channels for blood to flow in hearts where the arteries are too clogged up to even perform a bypass.  Dr. Stephen Ellis is coordinating these trials here at the Cleveland Clinic.  However, the most important question is whether your father needs any experimental procedure at all.  Dr. Lauer, the physician who examined your father, would be the best person to answer that question.  You should call his office and find out what he thinks.  If he feels that your father would benefit from one of these procedures, he knows whom to contact.  I wish you the best of luck.

Information provided here is for general purposes only.  Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and treatments.  If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment at Desk F25 with a cardiologist.