Mayo Clinic announced the first stem cell clinical trial for pediatric congenital heart disease. The trial aims to determine how stem cells from autologous umbilical cord blood can help children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a rare defect in which the left side of the heart is critically underdeveloped. The trial will test the safety and feasibility of delivering a personalized cell-based therapy into the heart of 10 infants affected by HLHS.

Today, treatment for babies born with HLHS involves three heart surgeries to redirect blood flow through the heart, or transplantation. The surgeries -- designed to provide adequate blood flow in and out of the heart, allowing the body to receive the oxygen-rich blood it needs -- are typically performed over the first few years of life. For this study, stem cells from newborns with HLHS will be collected from the umbilical cord following birth and injected into the heart muscle during the second surgery (at 4 to 6 months of age). Pediatric cardiovascular surgeon Harold Burkhart hopes, that stem cells will increase the volume and strength of the heart muscle to give it greater durability and power to pump blood throughout the body.

About 960 babies are born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome each year in the U.S.  In this syndrome, the lower left chamber (left ventricle) of the heart is too small or, in some cases, may not exist. After performing surgical procedures long-life treatment and supervision is nesseccary. This type of syndrome is detected usually during pregnancy and further treatment procedure may be determined.

Cardiovascular surgeon Harold Burkhart says, that stem cell-based regeneration may offer a viable solution to help these children develop new tissues and grow stronger hearts. 

Source: Medical News .  Video youtube.com.