VesCell™ Treatment for Heart Disease FAQ

The most common cause of heart disease is a decrease in blood flow to the heart. Sudden reduction (heart attack) or gradual reduction in blood flow to the heart ultimately leads to chest pains during physical activity (angina pectoris).

In some people, the reduction in blood supply is so significant that some of the heart tissue dies and stops functioning. If the damaged area is large enough, the heart cannot pump blood efficiently and heart failure ensues. The resulting shortness of breath and/or chest pains make everyday tasks such as walking and climbing stairs difficult or impossible.

This condition usually deteriorates while the patient loses his/her ability to perform physical tasks, such as walking and lifting.

While VesCell™ treatment may not cure heart disease, it can substantially improve the flow of blood in a large majority of the patients treated, thus reducing chest pains and sharply increasing physical capacity. The quality of life for many of those treated has increased noticeably, and in their words, "more than I had hoped for." Many activities enjoyed before their illness have once again become possible and enjoyable.

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VesCell™ is "autologous" adult stem cell therapy. That means we use stem cells taken from your own blood* so there is no danger of your body rejecting them.

These stem cells are named "ACPs" (Angiogenic Cell Precursors). ACPs are cells that induce the growth of blood vessels. These cells may also turn into additional types of cells that can benefit heart patients. Over 200 heart patients have received VesCell™ therapy.

Embryonic stem cells, if they ever work on humans, won't be available for heart patients for another decade, if at all.

*No embryos, fetuses, or animal products are used to make VesCell™.

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Cardiologists and heart surgeons are currently using VesCell™ to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from ischemic heart disease, (or coronary artery disease), cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure by increasing the blood flow through the heart and thereby relieving debilitating symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath and loss of energy.

Patients who feel they have exhausted treatment options such as coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) or balloon angioplasties are candidates. For patients with other medical conditions that make these conventional procedures too risky or otherwise not possible, adult stem cell therapy may be a viable alternative.

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Quite frankly, this may be the most important journey you will ever take!

Perhaps the main reason is that you can’t get adult stem cell treatment in the United States without being in a clinical trial…..and it is about 100-1 that a particular heart patient will make it into a trial just because of the strict criteria all clinical trials need to properly qualify for the trial. And---even the lucky ones may receive a placebo instead of stem cells.

Other important reasons are (1) Our results show that about 75% of those who get VesCell™ treatment have substantial improvements in the quality of their lives; (2) VesCell™ and the treating physicians have over two years of experience with adult stem cells, having treated more private patients than any other adult stem cell company in the World; (3) You or your physician can consult with our US Director of Cardiology, Zannos Grekos, MD about how treatment can help you, (4) You can personally speak to over 30 patients (mainly Americans) who have already had the treatment and want to share their results and experiences with you. They are unpaid and have signed away their right to medical privacy to help you; (5) The doctor in Bangkok who makes the decision whether or not VesCell™ will help you is trained and still accredited to practice in the USA.

TheraVitae’s experienced American management-team has designed a program that caters to your needs. In just one day from the time you leave your home, you can be in the modern–city of Bangkok, being treated by world-educated physicians many with years of experience and training in the US.

TheraVitae patients coming to Bangkok, are picked up by a driver with a private car at the airport and an English speaking, trained member of our staff, who will see that you’re comfortably settled in your luxury hotel, (not just checked in, but escorted to your 4-star room to make sure all is in order) and provide you with your customized treatment schedule.  You have nothing to concern yourself with, since it is our responsibility to pick you up and transport you by private car to all medical appointments.

On the day of your admission to the high quality modern comprehensive-care hospital where you’ll be treated, we’ll escort you and your companion to the hospital, and see that you receive VIP service at the hospital (we’ll even provide you with VIP express check-in at the hospital so you can bypass the Admissions Office). Having helped lots of international patients, including many Americans, our five affiliated hospitals understand your needs.

Your caring nurses will greet you, as will the understanding physicians and other medical staff. They’ll answer all your questions, spend time with you, and put you at ease perhaps in a way you’re not used to in the States.

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All procedures are performed by cardiologists and/or thoracic surgeons at the various hospitals affiliated with TheraVitae. Prior to coming to Asia, all new patient medical records are examined by world-class cardiologists to determine (a) will adult stem cells help this patient and (b) which procedure will help him/her the most.

Each procedure starts at the hospital with a medical examination to determine the specific details of the procedure, such as exactly where to implant the cells. Then, in a process similar to donating blood, 250 ml (about 1/2 pint) of blood is drawn and couriered to our lab under strictly controlled, sterile conditions.

Because there are far too few stem cells in anyone's blood to be effective, TheraVitae developed a proprietary technology to generate millions of highly viable cells from the patient's blood sample. This takes about a week. When the newly multiplied stem cells return from the lab, they are either implanted into one or more of the patient's coronary arteries or injected directly into the patient's heart depending upon the pre-arrival diagnosis. Once in place, these cells have the potential to build new blood vessels and heart muscle.

Within a month or two, the patient should begin to experience less chest pain and notice a marked increase in ability to perform exercise. Best of all is an improved level of energy. The result, as far as the patient is concerned, is an improved quality of life.

Click here to see a slide show of the treatment process

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The treating cardiologist or heart surgeon will review your medical records. This starts with your personal consultant from TheraVitae who will assist you in gathering everything you need. There is no charge or obligation for the entire medical review process.

Normally, the reviewing physician will ask to see recent diagnostic results. If they are not available, he or she will request a specific test.

About 1/3 of our applicants do not qualify for treatment, either because the doctors think it will not improve their particular condition or because there is some condition of the patient's that would preclude stem cell implant, such as recent cancer or HIV or Hepatitis B and C.

If you qualify, the treating physicians will recommend a course of treatment that includes which cardiac stem cell treatment is best suited to your condition - cells administered by catheter or cells administered surgically.

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The inclusive cost for your treatment is $39,500 for the direct injection procedure or $36,500 for the catheter-based treatment. This includes all of the following services for the cell delivery procedure and treatment:

1. VesCell™: Collection, transportation, and processing of your stem cells by highly trained cell biologists and immunologists at our lab in Israel, plus

2. Hospital Charges. All hospital charges for the cell delivery procedure, including room and board, incidental charges, catherization charges, operating room charges, ICU/CCU charges, and post-therapy testing, plus

3. Physician Charges. All physician charges directly related to your VesCell™ adult stem cell therapy including: attending cardiologists for all patients, invasive cardiologist for catheter cell implants, cardio-surgeons and anesthesiologist for minimally-invasive surgery patients, and any other physicians necessary, plus

4. Your Hotel Accommodations, including Breakfast and all Taxes. Luxury Hotel (4 Star) for all medically-necessary nights up to twenty-one for you and your companion in your room, plus

5. Airport Pick-Up and Transportation to and from the Hotel to the Hospital by private car with a driver and your assigned English-speaking Patient Care Coordinator, plus

6. Patient Care Follow-Up Coordinator (PFC). Upon your return home, you’ll receive regular phone calls from your PFC to check on how you are doing and help with getting answers to any post-treatment questions you may have.

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While the treatment cost in Asia is just a fraction of what you would pay in the U.S. we still wish the cost were lower (since insurance will probably not cover the treatment). When you realize what the treatment can mean for both you and your loved ones the value speaks for itself.

Only you can answer the question if treatment fits in with your budget. As you’re deliberating, you might want to think about it on a scale of 1 to 10, how important is it for you to try to improve the quality of your life? Our results show that about 75% of those who get VesCell™ treatment have substantial improvements in the quality of their lives. This means: Fewer breathing problems, fewer chest pains, increased mobility and, most importantly, less fatigue and more energy.

Even most of the 25% that don’t notice any improvement in the quality of their lives are still grateful that they took the chance. Since they are no-option patients it was important to them to know that they at least tried everything they could, and many of those even think that treatment may have helped them to stabilize their health without the constant downhill trend they were used to.

We hope we can help you too with your search for a better life!

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Your Personal Care Coordinator (PCC) will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. You can look forward to accommodations near the hospital that are equal or superior to those found in any major city. Your PCC will help you register and see that you're settled into your room. Once you are comfortable, he or she will go over your schedule with you and answer any questions you may have. Your PCC will always be with you whenever you travel from hotel to hospital and back and is never more than a local call away should questions arise.

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The entire procedure takes approximately 14 days. Keep in mind that your actual length of stay will depend on which treatment you undergo and your physical condition.

The treatment is quite straightforward. After your blood is drawn, it is then couriered to TheraVitae's lab where it is processed. While waiting for your stem cells to return, you'll have a few days to relax. If you wish to enjoy a little sightseeing, your PCC can help you make arrangements.

In about a week, your stem cells will be returned from the lab and immediately implanted surgically or via catheter. For the next few days, you will remain in the hospital for observation.

Your heart surgeon or cardiologist will prepare a full medical report for you to take home to your home cardiologist. After returning home, you can give it to your cardiologist during your first scheduled appointment.

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Please look at our Hospitals and Doctors page. All treating hospitals are international-standard medical facilities. They all have dedicated heart centers that offer extensive services to cardiac patients.

 

 

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The risks involved are similar to those of a standard angioplasty or minimally invasive heart surgery. To date, VesCell™ therapy has produced no significant side effects or adverse permanent complications. However, any therapy may have side effects. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that no complications will occur.

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Once the treating physicians have received your medical information, we can arrange for an American cardiologist to talk to your cardiologist. We also provide you with a full information packet (via email) to pass on to your doctor(s).

After a doctor with experience in VesCell™ therapy speaks to a patient's doctor and answers all questions directly, the patient’s doctor will usually become much more comfortable and supportive.

Of course, once you return home, your own cardiologist will be handling your follow-up care and will keep us informed of your progress.

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