CHICAGO -

The most dangerous heart attack is known as a STEMI. Its when the artery in the heart completely blocks blood flow.

Every minute counts when it comes to surviving a STEMI. Now, a patients own stem cells could hold the key to recovery.

Branko Koscak is making healthier choices after suffering a massive heart attack. Working 18 hour days had finally caught up with him.

"Just running all day, pretty much day and night," Koscak said.

Dr. Gary Schaer, a cardiologist, said the damage done by Koscak's nearly 100 percent blocked artery was life-threatening.

"Whole areas of the heart muscle had been severely injured by the heart attack," said Schaer, director of cardiology research, Rush University Medical Center.

Schaer is testing a new technique using a patient's own stem cells.

"This is the most exciting area of medicine that I've been involved in, in my 30 years or so of practice," Schaer explained.

A week after Koscak's heart attack, a catheter was placed into his previously blocked artery, and stem cells from his bone marrow were infused.

Excerpt from:
Health Beat: Fixing the heart with stem cells | Health ...

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