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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
DNA Research on regenerating blood vessels in the heart
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DNA Research on regenerating blood vessels in the heart
by BrendaT__0, Jun 26, 1998 12:00AM
My husband is 56 and a long term diabetic who has been told he has diffused(?)
heart disease. The doctors have advised us that the vessles are kinking
and that the blood cannot flow properly. The result is that he suffers from
extreme chest pain (for which he uses nitro spray)and shortness of breath.
This makes it difficult for him to do the simplest of things in life,even
to the point that he is awoken at night gasping for breath. Doctors have
said nothing can be done. That he is not a candidate for heart bypass
surgery.
We have heard recently about DNA and regenerating the growth of new blood
vessels within the heart. A program was on TV wherein 2 individuals have
had this treatment and one man can now climb stairs without pain.
How do we find out more information and where do we go for help. The doctor
here in Florida has given us a pretty grim picture of the future but the
DNA therapy sounds like it should be looked into but we do not know where to
look. Can you please help us? We would travel anywhere for some hope.
Thank you for your help.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Brenda:
There are a number of potential options that come to mind. First is the angiogenesis therapy that you mentioned. This involves a cardiac catheterization and infusion of an agent to cause the formation of new blood vessels in the heart. Another option is using lasers - either via a cardiac catheterization or open-heart surgery to create new blood channels directly in the heart. These are all new and somewhat experimental therapies. The first step would be to see if your husband is eligible for these research protocols. The Cleveland Clinic is pioneering these new treatments and you would be welcome to make an appointment here. Dr. Ellis, the Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, is the lead investigator.
I wish you the best of luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with Dr. Ellis at Desk F25.
heart disease. The doctors have advised us that the vessles are kinking
and that the blood cannot flow properly. The result is that he suffers from
extreme chest pain (for which he uses nitro spray)and shortness of breath.
This makes it difficult for him to do the simplest of things in life,even
to the point that he is awoken at night gasping for breath. Doctors have
said nothing can be done. That he is not a candidate for heart bypass
surgery.
We have heard recently about DNA and regenerating the growth of new blood
vessels within the heart. A program was on TV wherein 2 individuals have
had this treatment and one man can now climb stairs without pain.
How do we find out more information and where do we go for help. The doctor
here in Florida has given us a pretty grim picture of the future but the
DNA therapy sounds like it should be looked into but we do not know where to
look. Can you please help us? We would travel anywhere for some hope.
Thank you for your help.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Brenda:
There are a number of potential options that come to mind. First is the angiogenesis therapy that you mentioned. This involves a cardiac catheterization and infusion of an agent to cause the formation of new blood vessels in the heart. Another option is using lasers - either via a cardiac catheterization or open-heart surgery to create new blood channels directly in the heart. These are all new and somewhat experimental therapies. The first step would be to see if your husband is eligible for these research protocols. The Cleveland Clinic is pioneering these new treatments and you would be welcome to make an appointment here. Dr. Ellis, the Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, is the lead investigator.
I wish you the best of luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with Dr. Ellis at Desk F25.
