The Stem Cell Center performs clinical and pre-clinical research in the specific area of cardiovascular disease.
We are currently enrolling patients in the clinical trials below:
Important Considerations
If you are a patient or physician referring a patient interested in entry into a research protocol there are a few important considerations:
- The primary concern for any investigation must be the safety of all participants.
- The Stem Cell Center conducts clinical trials in strict accordance with protocols which have been approved by institutional governing agencies including the FDA, and St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital Institutional Review Board.
- The Stem Cell Center is dedicated to conducting important, well designed, and safe clinical studies. The protocols, therefore, are very strict and no exceptions can be made regarding the criteria that are used to include or exclude patients.
- Patients are not given monetary compensation for enrollment into the different studies. Once enrolled in the trial, patients are not charged for any therapy or monitoring that is directly related to the research.
Please review the information below before contacting us about enrollment.
Ischemic Heart Failure Trial
Ischemic heart failure occurs when the heart loses its ability to pump blood efficiently. Ischemic heart failure usually results from countless heart attacks as a result of blockages in the arteries that feed the heart.
The Stem Cell Center has pioneered stem cell research in patients with ischemic heart failure and is actively recruiting patients who:
- are on maximal medical therapy.
- have an ejection fraction less than 45%.
- are no longer amenable to conventional therapy using angioplasty or bypass surgery.
- experience symptoms of chest pain and/or shortness of breath.
If you are a Patient and wish to be considered for enrollment in the Ischemic Heart Failure Trial, please call us at 832-355-9404 or toll free at 1-866-924-STEM (7836) or complete our secure online Patient Information Form.
If you are a Physician and would like to refer a patient for consideration, please have the patient complete the secure online Patient Information Form, or please complete and fax the Release of Medical Information Form (PDF).
Acute Myocardial Infarction Trial
Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) occurs when an artery that feeds the heart (coronary artery) becomes blocked and blood flow to that area of the heart is cut off leading to muscle damage. The usual course of therapy is to be admitted to hospital, open the blocked artery with a balloon, stent, or surgical bypass, then to be placed on medicines hoping the heart will recover.
The Stem Cell Center is now teaming up with local physicians/hospitals to identify patients who have had a recent heart attack (within 5 days) treated with balloon/stents in order to see if stem cell therapy would aid in the recovery of heart muscle.
If you are a Patient and wish to be considered for enrollment in the Acute Myocardial Infarction Trial, please call us at 832-355-9404 or toll free at 1-866-924-STEM (7836) or complete our secure online Patient Information Form.
If you are a Physician and would like to refer a patient for consideration, please have the patient complete the secure online Patient Information Form, or please complete and fax the Release of Medical Information Form (PDF).
Peripheral Vascular Disease/Critical Limb Ischemia Trial
Peripheral vascular disease results from blockages in arteries that feed the muscles and tissues of the legs. If there are severe blockages, patients may develop severe pain in their leg muscles when walking (claudication), pain in their leg muscles at rest, or no blood flow leading to limb loss.
The Stem Cell Center is now investigating the effects of injecting bone marrow isolated stem cells directly into the leg muscles in legs affected by blocked arteries. The Stem Cell Center is now actively recruiting patients:
- with severe leg pain from blocked arteries in the legs (claudication).
- with evidence on non-invasive testing (i.e. ABI) of blockage.
- not amendable to conventional therapy including bypass or angioplasty.
- with no active infection in the affected leg.
If you are a Patient and wish to be considered for enrollment in the Peripheral Vascular Disease/Critical Limb Ischemia Trial, please call us at 832-355-9404 or toll free at 1-866-924-STEM (7836) or complete our secure online Patient Information Form.
If you are a Physician and would like to refer a patient for consideration, please have the patient complete the secure online Patient Information Form, or please complete and fax the Release of Medical Information Form (PDF).
Updated February 2008
