Umbilical cord blood used to build human heart valves in the lab

摘要

A recent study showed that it is possible to create human heart valve tissue, in a laboratory, from umbilical chord blood. The results of the study were presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2008.Infants with heart valve malfunction that cannot be fixed by surgery are reliant upon replacement valves. Currently, these replacements are animal tissue valves, valves made from artificial materials or compatible human donations. The replacements save the lives of many infants; however, they are a short-term solution. They cannot grow or change shape, and as the child matures, further surgery is often required to replace the outgrown valves. Each type of replacement valve also presents its own problems. Compatible donor valves are not always available, and animal tissue valves are less durable than their human counterparts and may stiffen with time, and children who receive artificial valves must be treated with blood-thinning agents.