Stammzell-Herzpflaster Shows Promise for Treating Severe Heart Failure

A groundbreaking clinical trial in Germany demonstrates the potential of lab-grown heart tissue to improve heart function in patients with advanced heart failure.

• Researchers in Germany have developed a 'heart patch' made from lab-grown heart tissue using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS).
• The patch, designed to support weakened heart muscles, showed a 4% improvement in heart pumping capacity during initial human trials.
• The first patient, a 46-year-old woman with advanced heart failure, received the implant in 2021, and subsequent analysis confirmed its safety and effectiveness.
• The ongoing clinical trial aims to treat 53 patients, with preliminary results expected by the end of 2025.
• If successful, the therapy could benefit up to 200,000 patients in Germany and may also pave the way for treatments of other diseases like Parkinson's and diabetes.

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