How stem cell therapy may help with heart attack recovery
A heart attack cuts off blood to part of the heart muscle, and the tissue that is lost is replaced by scar. Emergency care, stents, bypass and medication save the life and protect against the next event. They do not address the inflammation left behind in the muscle around the scar.
- Mesenchymal stem cells are studied for their ability to reduce inflammation in heart tissue after injury.
- Research examines how cell signalling may affect inflammation and the tissue environment. Evidence and clinical outcomes vary by application.
- Treatment is delivered intravenously, so the cells reach the heart through the circulation.
- Cells are prepared in our own laboratory and used fresh, never frozen.
- The protocol is written for your heart, your cardiac records and your goals.
Concerns to discuss with your care team
Lasting fatigue
An energy that has not returned in the months since, however well the rehabilitation went.
Breathlessness on light effort
Short of breath with tasks that were once nothing.
Reduced stamina
The walk, the stairs and the round of golf, all shorter than before.
Living carefully
The caution that follows a heart attack, and the activities set aside because of it.
Who may be a candidate
Adults who have completed emergency and follow-up care after a heart attack, are stable under their cardiologist, and whose function or quality of life remains limited, may be evaluated. Candidacy is decided by our physicians after a medical review of your history, recent cardiac testing and fitness to travel, never by a form.
Treatment is not offered where there is a recent or unstable cardiac event, active infection, certain cancers, or other conditions identified in review.
What to expect
1. Evaluation
A call with a patient advisor, then a medical review of your records, discharge summary and recent cardiac testing.
2. Treatment plan
Protocol, schedule and the full investment, written for your case and discussed with you before you travel.
3. Treatment in San José
Travel and stay arranged for you. Treatment by our physicians in our Ministry of Health–licensed clinic.
4. Follow-up care
Scheduled check-ins with our team after you return home.
Investment
Each plan is built for one patient. In your consultation we walk through the full investment and exactly what it includes: cells, clinical care, and the arrangements around your stay.
The Cellebration approach
- Fresh, never frozen. Ask how cells are prepared and evaluated for your proposed care.
- Physician-led. Clinical decisions by our medical team, in a licensed clinic.
- An informed discussion. Review the evidence, limitations and alternatives relevant to your condition.
- Personalized support. A care team helps coordinate the treatment journey.