New Study Tests Cord Blood Treatment for Dilated Cardiomyopathy
A new study will test the effectiveness of cord blood in treating idiophatic dilated cardiomyopathy in young children. The study will determine whether or not intramuscular injections of cord blood stem cells will improve the ventricular function of children with the disease.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a disease which weakens the heart. As a result, it becomes enlarged and loses the ability to effectively pump blood throughout the rest of the body. Patients’ lungs and liver are also damaged by the disease.
In this particular study, children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy are being tested. “Idiopathic” refers to the fact that the cause of the disease is unknown and often describes many cases of dilated cardiomyopathy. However, 25-35% of cases are known to be genetic.
While the main goal of the study is to determine how ventricular function can be improved by cord blood stem cells, researchers have outlined other aims. Researchers also want to explore exactly how the cord blood works to improve the ventricular function of patients as well as determine how safe of a procedure it is.