Coronary artery disease is a narrowing or blockage in an artery that restricts the flow of blood through the heart. The typical methods of restoring blood flow are coronary artery bypass surgery and angioplasty. With the surgical approach, physicians literally bypass the blockage by grafting a section of an artery or vein around it. During the most common type of angioplasty, a balloon-tipped catheter is guided within the artery to the point of the blockage, and the inflation of the balloon reopens the blood vessel. A metal stent to provide permanent scaffolding is then placed. An estimated 400,000 bypasses and 900,000 angioplasties are performed each year in the United States. However, about 100,000 patients with severe coronary artery disease are deemed ineligible for either procedure.
Recent studies have shown that a new therapy involving vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), or bone marrow derived stem cells can stimulate the growth of new blood vessels in the heart. These "hormones" or cells, which occur naturally in the body, cause new blood vessels to form, a process called angiogenesis.
The Cleveland Clinic expects to participate in Phase II studies to evaluate the potential means of achieving therapeutic angiogenesis using VEGF and stem cells in the future.
For more information on cell therapy:
For more information on other therapies for coronary artery disease:
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