Can stem cells heal Cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathy refers to a weakening of the heart muscle or a change in heart muscle structure which typically results in inadequate heart pumping or other heart function problems. The most common form is dilated cardiomyopathy which involves an enlargement of the heart’s main pumping chamber (left ventricle) secondary to heart muscle damage from coronary artery disease. It can also be triggered by diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, alcohol, infections, poisons, tobacco use, nutritional deficiencies (vitamin B1=thiamine), connective tissue diseases, hereditary disorders, excess thyroid hormones and even pregnancy. When this happens the heart can’t adequately pump blood to the body. This can and does lead to heart failure and death.
Evidence is gradually accruing that suggest that stem cells from a patient’s own bone marrow or blood can support MAJOR HEALING and produce significant improvements in function in CHF. One example: In Thailand, cardiomyopathy patients who had “Angiogenic Cell Precursors (ACPs)” derived from their own blood injected into their heart muscle experienced impressive benefits.

Dr. Steenblock’s comprehensive stem cell based approach to cardiomyopathy is geared to:

(1) prepare a patient’s body to respond vigorously to injected stem cells; (2) identify and deal with dietary, lifestyle and other factors that contribute to the cardiomyopathy disease process and progression; and (3) remove impediments that tend to compromise patient responses to stem cells as well as stem cell activity in the body. Among the tools and methods which Dr. Steenblock utilizes:
1. Placing Cardiomyopathy patients on a low sodium diet and supplements specific to their particular condition that caused the problem.
2. Use of stem cell mobilizers such as all-natural Stemgevity™ and FDA approved stem cell mobilization drugs such as Neupogen® (Filgrastim).
3. Creation of individualized regimens that include use of leading edge FDA approved devices that support stem cell mobilization such as Intermittent Hypoxia Therapy, Periodic Acceleration Therapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, External counterpulsation and more. You can read more about these on Strokedoctor.com, and also in the November-December 2010 issue of Dr. Steenblock’s Clinic newsletter which you can readily access by going to http://stemcell.md/newsletters/nov2010.pdf (Go to page 2, the article titled “How Dr. Steenblock Can Help You Turn the Tables on Aging & Chronic Disease”)

Bone Marrow Stem Cells and Cardiomyopathy

How is a Bone Marrow Transplant done? Typically, Dr. Steenblock harvests health building bone marrow from either a patient’s tibia (thick shin bone) or the iliac crest (hip bone). To do this he first deadens the area using a local anesthetic and then inserts a thin-needle attached to a large syringe. He then draws the bone marrow up into the syringe. Most patients report that they are comfortable and relaxed during the collection process.  The entire bone marrow harvesting and treatment process typically takes only a few hours. The collected stem cells are then typically re-infused by IV (intravenous) drip.