Stem cells for refractory angina.

Stem cells are cells that have the ability to turn into any cell of the body explains cardiac specialist Alexandru Mischie. Opinions are divided at the moment, there is no clear benefit of this treatment method versus classical methods (drugs or stents). Stem cells can be implanted in the heart by arterial catheterization through two methods:

-A catheter reaches the heart and injects a liquid containing these cells into the coronary artery that has just had a heart attack;

-A catheter with sharp tip is inserted into the left ventricle where it “injections” repeatedly small quantities of stem cells in those areas of the heart where the muscle does not work well or where the muscle is dead.

The result should be the regeneration of the muscle.

Acetylcholine testing for the diagnosis of Prinzmetal angina.

What is Prinzmetal angina or vasospastic angina ? It is a rare disease of the coronary arteries, which is characterized by temporary blockage of the artery due to a “spasm” or increased sensitivity of the artery walls to a particular substance in the blood stream or from stress (allergic coronary artery). Myocardial infarction is similar in that artery closes completely (through the formation of a blood clot). Vasospastic angina is different from myocardial infarction by the fact that the closing of the artery is reversible after administration of vasodilators and the fact that there there is no blood clot.

Clear diagnosis of this disease is done by by injecting a chemical substance (acetylcholine or methacholine) that “irritate” intentionally the artery wall, in order to see if it blocks completely after this sensing this substance. Coronary catheterisation technique is used, a catheter is advanced to the coronary artery, followed by injection of the product and viewing images after injection of contrast.

The most common treatment are drugs, but in some cases it was required the implantation of a stent in the “irritated” area of the artery or even heart surgery (coronary artery bypass graft artery to short-circuit “irritated” area).

All data on this site is purely informational and should not be considered medical advice. If you need a medical oppinion consult a physician.