Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Growth Factor for Bypassing Arteries/Relieving Angina
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Growth Factor for Bypassing Arteries/Relieving Angina
by James__0, Jun 10, 1998 12:00AM
I understand that the Cleveland Clinic is currently studying a treatment
to stimulate growth of arteries around blockages of the heart. Could
you explain what is being studied? I have long suffered from chest pain,
but my doctor tells me that I am not a good candidate for bypass surgery
or angioplasty. He recently told me about you Heart Center and its study.
How might I go about finding out more about the study? Whom may I contact?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear James:
Angiogenesis therapy involves injecting a growth factor into the heart arteries during a cardiac catheterization (and subsequent intravenous infusions). The growth factor causes new blood vessels to form around blockages in the heart arteries. The treatment is experimental, and not everyone with severe blockages of the heart arteries is a candidate. Dr. Stephen Ellis, the head of the cardiac catheterization laboratory, performs the procedure.
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.
