For the first time in the world, two patients from Argentina have undergone transplantation of blood vessels grown from their own skin cells.
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(Photo: CAND) |
Historically, blood vessels have typically been taken from the patient’s lower leg or synthetic materials have been used to replace blocked blood vessels. However, the stitching of artificial blood vessels often encounters issues with infection, and the quality of the patient’s own blood vessels may sometimes not meet the necessary requirements for replacement.
Cytograft + Tissue Engineering, responding to a practical need, has invested in research to develop a new method for providing blood vessels to patients. Currently, it takes about 6 to 9 months to cultivate a single blood vessel. In the future, the company hopes to accelerate the cultivation process.
Dr. Elizabeth Neibel, Director of the National Institute of Heart and Lung in Argentina, believes that this promising method could provide a lifeline for patients with diabetes, circulatory defects, and those requiring cardiac bypass.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 800,000 surgeries requiring artery and vein replacements are performed annually. Thanks to this new invention by Cytograft, patients can hope to utilize high-quality blood vessels grown from their own skin cells.
