Due to privacy reasons, the real names of the individuals mentioned below are not revealed.
Heart Disease
Case 1
In 1994 at the Tawakal Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Danu then 52 years of age, underwent a heart bypass* surgery with the hope of treating his heart. His heart disease was caused by blockage of his heart arteries.
According to Danu’s heart surgeon, “If a bypass surgery cannot help him, there was no chance he would ever recover from his heart disease”. In 2000, Danu had 3 angioplasty* operations done at GIMC.
In 2003, the blockage occurred again in his arteries. Danu found it difficult to walk without feeling breathless and tired. He suffered chest pains and had difficulty in breathing frequently even when performing a simple action like walking up a flight of stairs. He also had to take about 5-6 GTN* (Glyceryl Trinitrate) tablets a day.
His heart specialist’s view point was that after 3 angioplasties, a bypass would not be viable anymore. Another consultant, who specializes in heart artery blockage also told Danu that nothing could be done now to improve his heart condition.
Danu did not give up hope. Luck was on his side. In 2006, upon consultation and recommendation by his heart specialist at GIMC, an alternative option was presented to help his heart - Adult Stem Cell therapy. To improve the heart condition after a heart attack, the infusion of the stem cells can help to strengthen the heart muscles. Stem cells may be able to regenerate the muscle cells so they can pump better.
On 10th April 2006, his own stem cells were harvested from his peripheral blood by StemLife, a simple process similar to a blood donation. Three days later, his harvested stem cells were infused into his heart, successfully carried out by his heart specialist at GIMC. The stem cell therapy improved his heart function by 25%. On the 4th day after his stem cell transplant for his heart, Danu went back to work much to the surprise and un-expectation of his heart specialist and family members.
“I felt so much better after my stem cell transplant, I can now easily climb up 2 to 3 flight of steps on the oil rig platform with no heavy breathing or chest pain. I hardly get tired now and I have decreased my intake of GTN tablets from 1 to 2 tablets per day.
It has been 2 months now after my stem cell transplant, I stopped taking the GTN tablets altogether. I can enjoy a better quality of life. I am most grateful that there is now an alternative option treatment for my heart. The stem cell transplant for my heart has given me a new lease of life”.
Danu, age 64
*Heart bypass - Surgery to create a detour or "bypass" around the blocked part of a coronary artery to restore the blood supply to the heart muscle.
*Angioplasty – A surgical procedure in which a balloon-tipped catheter (thin tube) is inserted into a diseased, narrowed blood vessel; inflation of balloon stretches vessel opening, improving blood flow through it.
*GTN- A form of angina tablet which helps to relieve chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen in the blood.
Case 2
“I suffered a serious heart attack almost 10 years ago. Despite maximal drug treatment, my heart function did not improve. I kept up with the latest development in the treatment of heart failure and came to know about the stem cell treatment in Malaysia.
I underwent the procedure. 3 months later the function of my heart (ejection fraction) has improved from 36% to 42%. I now feel more energetic.”
Benjamin, from Sarawak
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