Cardiovascular diseases are one of the major causes of fatality in the world. Over the years, the rate of deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases has decreased in some countries while dramatically increasing in others. The percentage of premature deaths from cardiovascular illness ranges from a low of 3% in nations with a high GDP of up to 49% in low-GDP nations. Cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease, cause about 20 million deaths worldwide each year. According to cardiac research, each year, heart illness kills significantly more humans than cancer. In recent years, Cardiometabolic and cardiovascular dangers in women have been growing at a fast rate and have killed a higher percentage of women than breast cancer has. Researchers are studying whether mesenchymal stem cells can support repair of the heart, mainly through signals that may reduce inflammation and encourage the growth of small new blood vessels (angiogenesis). It has not been shown that these cells replace lost heart muscle cells in people.
Causes of Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary Heart Disease, or CHD, is also known as coronary artery disease, or CAD. CAD or CHD occurs when the coronary arteries, which supply the heart as part of the blood circulatory system, become narrowed by plaque building up inside their walls. The arteries are primarily responsible for providing blood and oxygen to the heart. Adult stem cell therapy for artery blockage is an investigational option that some patients consider alongside standard cardiac care, and research into cell therapy for heart failure includes conditions such as chronic ischemic heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy DCM and heart failure.
Acute Coronary Syndromes – Coronary Thrombosis
- Unstable acute angina (chest pain) occurs when the heart lacks oxygen or blood flow. Symptoms vary, but the chest pain may come on at rest, happen more often, or last longer and feel more severe than before. Unstable angina is a medical emergency because it can lead to a heart attack, so anyone with new or worsening chest pain should call emergency services right away. Hospital treatment may include medicines such as nitroglycerin and blood thinners, and some people need a procedure to restore blood flow.
- NSTEMI or Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is a type of heart attack that does not cause ST-segment elevation on an electrocardiogram (ECG), although the ECG may show other changes or look normal. There are, however, markers in blood tests that can be used to screen for events or damage to the heart muscle. For most NSTEMI patients, the artery blockage may be temporary or partial.
- STEMI, or ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, is the other type of heart attack caused by a blockage in the blood supply. STEMI events involve extensive myocardial injury and can be detected by ECG or by blood panel screening for specific enzymatic activity and chemical markers. These blood tests measure markers of heart muscle injury, mainly cardiac troponin, and in some settings an older marker called creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB).
Signs of Atherosclerosis & Coronary Plaque
Symptoms in patients with atherosclerosis vary across patients. Still, new blood tests and genetic testing for hereditary heart disease can be used as an early warning sign of acute coronary syndrome.
Artery structure and plaque
Cross-sections showing how plaque can reduce the open space inside an artery.
Plaque is produced because of the cholesterol, calcium, fat, and other substances found in the blood. When the plaque starts to build up in your arteries, you get diagnosed with a disease called atherosclerosis. The formation of the plaque and the inability of the heart to regenerate occur over many years. Over time, plaque narrows your arteries and thus hardens them. This is the cause of the limited oxygenated blood supply to the heart.
The plaque can also rupture. This forms a blood clot on the surface of the plaque. As this worsens and the blood clot becomes more prominent, it disrupts blood flow in the main artery (coronary atherosclerosis). Moreover, an angina heart attack or stroke might happen if your heart does not receive a regular flow of blood and fresh oxygen. Angina is a severe chest discomfort. It may feel as if there is pressure or squeezing in your chest. The pain might also be inside your neck, shoulders, arms, back, or jaw. Angina discomfort might even feel like indigestion.
A heart attack happens when the regular flow of blood rich in oxygen to a section of the heart is disrupted or blocked. If this flow is not remedied immediately, the particular part of the heart will not function. Without immediate treatment, a heart attack and stroke can occur, and this may lead to death. With time, CHD can weaken the heart muscle, which can lead to arrhythmia and heart failure; problems such as peripheral neuropathy and muscular atrophy have other causes.
Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Arrhythmia has something to do with the abnormal rhythm and rate of the heartbeat.[1]
Warning signs & symptoms of heart failure
CAD, CHD, and IHD Cardiomyopathy can happen due to many reasons, including environmental conditions, lifestyle, and genes. Some common risk factors for chronic ischemic heart failure include:
- Lung diseases, COPD & Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Diabetes
- Kidney diseases, PKD or Diabetic Nephropathy
- Obesity
- Viral Infections
- Hypertension
- Ischemic Strokes
- Abuse of alcohol or drugs
- Connective tissue disorders, i.e., Lupus
- Reaction to medications
- Exposure to industrial chemicals or toxins such as lead
Is Coronary Artery Disease Hereditary?
It is estimated that over 40% of all CAD cases might have some hereditary influence, and the most commonly diagnosed genetic heart diseases include:[2]
- Genetic Arrhythmia
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Pulmonary arterial hypertension
- Connective tissue disorders
- Aortopathy
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Hemorrhagic telangiectasia
- Congenital heart disease
- Brugada Syndrome
- Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
- Short QT Syndrome
- Long QT Syndrome
Diagnosis of Heart Disease
The clinical diagnosis of heart disease requires diagnostic tests and physical exams. A cardiologist uses several tests to determine the severity, including Echocardiography, Electrocardiography (ECG), angiography, CT coronary angiography, cardiac stress tests (nuclear stress testing), Cardiac catheterization, and blood tests. The regeneration center offers a comprehensive list of genetic panels to screen for mutations in genes that lead to hereditary heart diseases using the following panels: TNNC1, TNNI3, JUP, DOLK, TAZ, CAV3, CRYAB, CSRP3, DES, VCL, RBM20, RYR2, SCN5A, SGCD, TCAP, TMEM43, LAMP2, LMNA, MYBPC3, PKP2, PLN, PRKAG2, RAF1, EYA4, ABCC9, DSC2, DSG2, DSP, EMD, MYH7, MYL2, MYL3, ACTC1, ACTN2, GAA, GLA, HCN4, AGL, BAG3, TNNT2, TPM1, FHL1, FKRP, FKTN, FLNC, TTN, TTR, SLC22A5, CACNA1C, ANKRD1, DMD, CTNNA3, LDB3 and PDLIM3.
DNA screening tests are recommended for family members of patients who had sudden cardiac death or have low heart function. Early intervention is often crucial in managing the disease, so if the direct relatives of the deceased think they might carry an inherited disorder/gene mutation, then screening would be advised. We do not offer gene therapies to treat heart disease. Several clinical trials are studying gene therapies for some inherited heart conditions. To reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease, consider making dietary changes and engaging in regular physical activity.
New Treatment Options for Cardiovascular Diseases
There are several methods to treat heart failure, depending on the stage, severity, and underlying cause. The first line of treatment for chronic heart failure and coronary atherosclerosis is lifestyle changes and medications, with procedures or surgery when needed. Cardiac stem cell therapy remains investigational and is not a first-line treatment. Some common medications and non-surgical treatments for coronary artery disease (CAD), CAD & IHD include:
- Antiplatelet medications (Clopidogrel)
- Beta-blockers
- Nitroglycerin
- Cholesterol-lowering medications (statins)
- Calcium channel blockers
- Percutaneous Coronary Revascularization
- Stem cell therapy for heart and cardiac cell infusions
Cardiac regeneration using mesenchymal stem cells
Stem cell therapy for heart disease is not appropriate or effective for all cases. Patients who do not respond well to medications or have reached a severe stage of cardiac disease might also require surgery or combination therapy. In clinical research, cells such as cardiopoietic stem cells have been delivered to the heart to study whether they can improve heart function and blood flow. Standard surgical procedures include:
- Open-heart surgery
- Angioplasty
- Heart transplant
- Bypass Graft Surgery
- CABG: coronary artery bypass graft
- A balloon to widen an artery or deliver cells to the heart
- Artery stent
Treating Heart Disease with Stem Cells
Repairing the heart using stem cells offers patients a new alternative,non-surgical treatment option to improve cardiac function and blood flow and help reverse heart disease. [3] The impact of enhanced stem cell therapies is increasingly well understood, and the Heart Regeneration Center offers a unique and effective cardiac regeneration protocol tailored to patients’ needs. Cardiac stem cells can differentiate into stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and use targeted paracrine signaling to help rebuild a patient’s heart tissue, building on our existing stem cell research and clinical-grade hematopoietic mesenchymal stem cells. For most elderly patients or those with severe physical limitations, a combination of allogeneic cells will be recommended. This option is available only for patients whose own cells are insufficient or are impaired due to age or other diseases.
Stem cell treatment for low ejection fraction
The stem cells are immune-system compatible and expanded from cardio-sphere-derived stem cells to help assist in replenishing/replacing damaged heart cells and reverse symptoms of atherosclerosis and heart disease. [4] Cell therapy for Heart disease requires isolated cell types (stem cell differentiation) that are cultured in our lab and then reintroduced into the heart, generally via a process known as cell homing, using multiple-stage delivery to gradually reduce inflammation over two weeks. Using a catheter and stem cell injections for the heart can improve heart function by targeting damaged heart tissue. Umbilical cord tissue mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSC) and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells have the potential to regenerate damaged heart tissue.
1 Year After Stem Cell Therapy for Heart Failure
Outcomes that clinical studies of stem cell therapy to treat patients with advanced heart failure have measured include:
-
- Reduction in the infarct size / Reduction in heart muscle scar [5]
- Improved regulation of O2 (Oxygen) Intake and Use [6]
- Heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction reported a reduction in Angina [7]
- Stem cell therapy may reduce symptoms and repair or replace damaged cardiac function, thereby improving the patient’s overall well-being and quality of life.
- Long-term benefits of stem cell therapy (≥12 months) with measurable improvement in well-being & physical endurance.
- Changes in heart muscle scar size and infarct size on cardiac imaging
- Stem cell therapy for ischemic heart may improve blood flow to the heart and reverse coronary artery calcification.
- Therapy for ischemic heart failure can help with the improvement of Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), resulting in no need for re-hospitalization
Treating Cardiovascular Diseases with Cardiopoietic Cells in 2026
- Chronic Heart Disease
- Artery disease treatment – CAD heart
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Angina
- Thrombosis in the vessel walls
- Stem Cell Therapy for Atherosclerosis & Artery atherosclerosis
- Cardiomyopathy
- Ischemic heart disease (IHD)
- MI – Heart Attack
Types of stem cells needed for cardiac regeneration
Total Number of Cardiac Stem Cell Infusions: 2-8 Infusions of Endogenous Mesenchymal Cardiomyocyte Cells & Exosome Growth Factors (per Treatment stage requirement). Multiple Stages or stem cells delivered by trans-endocardial injections may be required for severe conditions. Cell retention, engraftment, survival, and the risk of rejection will vary with the route of administration and the patient’s comorbidities.
Cell sources and terminology
A guide to the source labels used in the laboratory illustration.
- Adipose tissue
ADSC
- Bone marrow
BM-MSC
- Peripheral blood
PB-MSC
- Placental tissue
P-MSC
- Umbilical cord
UC-MSC
- UC-MSC+
The Regeneration Center’s terminology used in this article.
Challenges & Limitations of Heart Regeneration Therapy
Cardiac Rehabilitation Post Treatment: Cardiac Rehabilitation therapy in Bangkok is optional and can be provided for a minimum of 2 hours per day and five days per week. Medical visas and accommodations for the patient and family members or friends at an extended-stay service apartment or hotel can also be arranged upon request.
Total Time Required for CAD heart disease treatment: Estimated at around two weeks in total (depending on the patient’s medical needs and total infusion of stem cells)
What ejection fraction measures
Ejection fraction describes the proportion of blood the left ventricle pumps out with a contraction.
- Filled ventricle
The blood in the chamber before contraction.
- Blood pumped out
The amount ejected during the contraction.
- Ejection fraction
The amount pumped out divided by the amount in the filled ventricle, expressed as a percentage.
- Measurement
Heart imaging, such as an echocardiogram, can measure ejection fraction.
Stem Cell Treatment for Heart Disease
Our heart regeneration treatment protocols for atherosclerotic artery disease offer chronic heart failure patients an investigational treatment with mesenchymal stem cells, given in multiple stages alongside their standard cardiac care. For most patients, this will require travel to Thailand for 2-3 weeks of adjuvant therapy. Stem cell therapy for the heart is not appropriate for all patients, and, given the varying degrees of severity and other underlying medical factors, the efficacy of stem cell therapy and the overall improvement in heart function will vary. Our medical team must evaluate all potential patients before providing a prognosis. Upon completion of a medical evaluation, a detailed treatment plan will be provided to the patient, including the specifics of the recommended medical protocol, the total length of stay required, and a fixed price for all related medical costs. To begin the qualification process for the Regeneration Center Heart Disease treatment, please prepare all recent medical records, such as an Echocardiogram, EKG, Tilt Table Heart CT Scan, or SPECT exam (Single-photon emission computed tomography), and contact us today.
Published Clinical Citations
[1] ^ Arom, Kitipan V, Permyos Ruengsakulrach, and Vibul Jotisakulratana. 2008. Intramyocardial angiogenic cell precursor injection for cardiomyopathy in Thailand. Asian cardiovascular & thoracic annals, no. 2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18381874
[2] ^ Hou, Jingying, Lingyun Wang, Jieyu Jiang, Changqing Zhou, Tianzhu Guo, Shaoxin Zheng, and Tong Wang. 2013. Cardiac stem cells and their roles in myocardial infarction. Stem cell reviews and reports, no. 3. doi:10.1007/s12015-012-9421-4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23238707
[3] ^ Martinez, Paula F, and Marina P Okoshi. 2018. Genetic Risk in Artery Disease. Arquivos brasileiros de cardiologia, no. 1 (July 0). doi:S0066-782X2018000700062. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30110045
[4] ^ Nartprayut, Kuneerat, Yaowalak U-Pratya, Pakpoom Kheolamai, Sirikul Manochantr, Methichit Chayosumrit, Surapol Issaragrisil, and Aungkura Supokawej. 2013. Cardiomyocyte differentiation of perinatally‑derived mesenchymal stem cells. Molecular medicine reports, no. 5 (March 4). doi:10.3892/mmr.2013.1356. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23467912.
[5] ^ Pratumvinit, Busadee, Kanit Reesukumal, Kajohnkiart Janebodin, Nicholas Ieronimakis, and Morayma Reyes. 2013. Isolation, characterization, and transplantation of cardiac endothelial cells. BioMed research international (October 27). doi:10.1155/2013/359412. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24282814
[6] ^ Varga, E, C Nemes, R P Davis, O Ujhelly, N Klincumhom, Z Polgar, S Muenthaisong, M K Pirity, and A Dinnyes. 2014. Generation of transgene-free pluripotent stem cells using an excisable lentiviral system. Experimental cell research, no. 2 (February 18). doi:10.1016/j.yexcr.2014.02.006. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24560743
[7] ^ Windmolders, Severina, Astrid De Boeck, Remco Koninckx, Annick Daniëls, Olivier De Wever, Marc Bracke, Marc Hendrikx, Karen Hensen, and Jean-Luc Rummens. 2013. Mesenchymal stem cell secreted platelet derived growth factor exerts a pro-migratory effect on resident Cardiac Atrial appendage Stem Cells. Journal of molecular and cellular cardiology (December 8). doi:10.1016/j.yjmcc.2013.11.016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24326234