Cardiomyopathy-Stem cell therapy

[vikramdawar]

I have already explained in detail the conditions of my sister who was suffering from Cardiomyopathy with low ef 15%,which led to her sudden death.I had earlier also posted this as to if my sister had arrthymia ten why did not the doctor prescribed pace maker.Secondly,is STEM CELL helpful in treating this disease with proven results.I reside in India.

[Sirenet]

Hello, and I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your post has most certainly alarmed me. I was recently diagnosed with severe heart failure also ( dilated cardiomyopathy). My EF is    
15-25%, with arrhythmias. I have been advised to get ICD, which I have been reluctant to agree to. Sharing your sorrow has helped me in my decision making, and for that I thank you.
  From what I understand, the pacemaker is generally good for low heart rate ( or an ablation of sinus node-heart's natural pacemaker). The added benefit from the ICD ( a defibrillator as well), is that in the event of cessation of heart beat a shock administered and restoring HB. ( with your sister's  condition- similar  to mine, as well as poor blood flow, there is an added risk with arrhythmias for ventricular fibrillation, very serious. Death imminent without a stimulus for restoring heart beat.
  

[vikramdawar]

Thankx for your reply.My sister was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy in Oct'07 with EF26%.She was prescribed: Valent80,Digoxin,Cardivas.However,when a followup was done in May'08,her EF had fallen to 15%.Still the doctor advised her to take the above medications with additions of Nucarnet and CQforte and a good diet.She talked to us on 21/08/07 night and was totally fine but the next morning she did not wake up.from June'07,she did not complain of swelling of feets and did not have cough.I fail to understand the reason for her sudden death,when I have read that people with this disease survive for 5 yrs.Further would Stem Cell been helpful and why did not the doctor prescribe pacemaker to take care of Arytthmia.Kindly reply.

[LukeL]

Was your sister on any medications? A person in heart failure should be on a cocktail of drugs and usually a pacemaker or ICD is implanted, but even then it won't stop the heart from failing completly.

Currently to my knowledge stem cell research is only in the animal testing stages but looks encouraging.

As to why her doctor did not order a pacemaker I can only guess he  assumed her case was too far gone and the risk of the procedure did not outweigh the benefits.