One Step Closer to Stem Cell Valves

[tjadams]

Did you guys see this?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22952871/

Like I said, 5-10 years we can say goodbye to coumadin and"redoos".

 

[tobagotwo]

Understand that valves with the patient's own cells grown on this type of collagen scaffolding have been done before, more than a decade ago. They looked and worked great at first, but sadly declined to mush in mere months.

Because of the way the cells are grown onto the collagen, I have long referred to this variety of valves as "chia valves."

This avenue of investigation does have a great deal of promise. I want this to work, but I'll maintain my skepticism for the time being...

Best wishes,

 

[tjadams]

Few breakthroughs happen on the first run. Every major breakthrough around cell development and growth is a step closer. It will happen in our lifetime. A little skepticicism is good, because it never haulted innovation.

 

[Icarus]

A stem cell valve that works (I'm 100% sure in the future this WILL happen) -would be a God-send to all on coumadin for a mechinal valve.
My only worry is how much trouble would it be to take out and replace the old St. Jude valve.
- Would you have to fist fight with insurance?
- How do they replace parachute strings snipped when replacing the bad valve?
- Will the DaVinci machine be able to do this proposed proceedure? I would not look foward to having my chest cracked open again.
Icarus

 

[Karlynn]

There is much promise in the use of our own stem cells that I too have hope for the future for valves.

As far as insurance - I can't see them paying to have a fully functioning valve removed to replace it with a stem cell valve. I guess I wouldn't feel a rush to do it unless I was having trouble. (If it ain't broke - don't fix it.) Since all surgery carries risk - I wouldn't want to take on the risk without the need to do so.