It may seem unusual, but researchers decided to try taking bone marrow stem cells and using them to prevent heart failure. However, that's exactly what doctors from the Stem Cell Center at the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital did. They decided to use bone marrow stem cells not only because the immune system doesn't reject them, but also because they have greater plasticity than other adult stem cells.

Adult stem cells have the ability to turn into any kind of tissue, and researchers were able to inject adult stem cells directly into heart tissues with the hope that they would develop into heart muscle cells, tissues, and even blood vessels.

Heart failure and injuries affect half a million Americans alone on a yearly basis. One million Americans suffer heart attacks every year. Dr. Emerson Perin of the Stem Cell Center says, "I think this is the most exciting stem cell therapy and heart research today.  Because these new cell types are so powerful, and they [are] delivered directly to the heart damage, it should be great at promoting healing."

Clinical trials have begun with a 65-year-old heart attack patient. Current plans are to enrol two-dozen additional patients within a year. Researchers are hoping to develop treatments that may affect the long-term health of heart failure patients within five years.

Researchers are hoping to head off heart failure before such conditions add to the growing numbers of people currently experiencing diseases of the heart.