HOUSTON, March 31, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the nation's first such procedure, doctors from Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center and The University of Texas Medical School at Houston successfully treated a stroke patient using the patient's own stem cells.
The patient arrived in the emergency room at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 with weakness on the right side and difficulty speaking. The signs were obvious; the patient was suffering a stroke. Because he had exceeded the three-hour window needed to receive the TPA clot-busting drug proven to treat strokes, the stem-cell trial treatment was the only option. Memorial Hermann-TMC and UT Medical School are conducting the Phase I study funded with a pilot grant from The National Institutes of Health. Stem-cell therapy can help patients 24 to 72 hours after the onset of a stroke. The minimally-invasive procedure was successfully completed Thursday, March 26.
How does it work?
Physicians removed the stem cells from the patient's bone marrow in the leg, then separated or purified the stem cells and intravenously returned them to the patient within a few hours. Because they are the patient's own stem cells, rejection was not an issue. These are not embryonic cells, which reduces the chances of being rejected. Research shows that stem cells have an instinctive guidance system and migrate to the area of injury. While the stem cells do not produce new brain cells for this patient, they enhance the repair process in the brain and reduce damage.
The patient is recovering remarkably well and has not shown any signs of paralysis. He remains in the hospital under observation, but will be discharged later this week.
This breakthrough has the potential to drastically change the way stroke patients are treated in the future.
To schedule a live or taped interview via our Vyvx line or ReadyCam(r) with the patient or doctor, please contact Alex Rodriguez at 832-549-1531 or Ann Brimberry at 713-562-8817.
For more information on the stem cell study to treat stroke patients, please click here: http://publicaffairs.uth.tmc.edu/media/newsreleases/nr2009/stem_cell.htm
About The Memorial Hermann Media Center
This is one of many stories available through the Memorial Hermann Media Center. Memorial Hermann Healthcare is now equipped to provide instant access to expert doctors for live broadcast interviews. The newly designed Memorial Hermann Media Center includes VideoLink's ReadyCam(r) technology that allows Memorial Hermann the ability to provide fast, easy access to some of the nation's leading doctors from across the 11-hospital Memorial Hermann system. Whether it's breaking news or a landmark clinical trial, experts are available almost instantly via our fiber optic and satellite capabilities. For more information on the Memorial Hermann Media Center, visit our Newsroom.
About the Memorial Hermann System
An integrated health system, Memorial Hermann is known for world-class clinical expertise, patient-centered care, leading edge technology, and innovation. The system, with its exceptional medical staff and 17,000 employees, serves southeast Texas and the greater Houston community. Memorial Hermann's 11 hospitals include three hospitals in the Texas Medical Center and eight suburban hospitals. The system also operates comprehensive cancer centers, the LifeFlight air ambulance program, the area's only burn treatment center, numerous imaging, sports medicine and rehabilitation, surgery centers, a Wellness Center, a chemical dependency treatment center, a home health agency, a retirement community and a nursing home. To learn more, visit www.memorialhermann.org or call 713-222-CARE.
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