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Threatened Limb Program
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Last year, it was reported that the vascular surgeons on
the medical staff at Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart
and Vascular Hospital were involved in the evaluation
of bone marrow-derived cells for critical limb ischemia
(CLI). As one of the few sites worldwide evaluating this
treatment, in keeping with the tradition of being on the
forefront of new technology and strategies for patients
suffering from CLI, the research has proven promising.
This fiscal year 2017, the results included the potential
prevention of limb loss.
Vascular surgery experienced growth in the number
of CLI cases in fiscal year 2017 and several cases were
appropriate for the use of Harvest® Bone Marrow Aspirate
Concentrate (BMAC®) system. The system delivers a high
concentration and yield of cells and growth factors with
potential healing power when delivered to the particular
site in need. Vascular surgeons on the medical staff at
Baylor Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital and Baylor
University Medical Center at Dallas were instrumental in
bringing this technology to vascular patients. Advancing
this technology at Baylor Hamilton Heart and Vascular
Hospital in fiscal year 2017 was one of the key highlights
for the year as there are few vascular surgeons in Texas
and the U.S. using BMAC in the treatment of non-healing
wounds. Vascular surgeons on the medical staff have long
been involved in numerous clinical trials and studies for
advancing vascular surgery options for patients.
ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY
Concentrated bone marrow aspirate (BMAC) is an
autologous biologic concentrate derived from a patient’s
own bone marrow. Harvest® Bone Marrow Aspirate
(BMA) concentrate is a biologic product that is produced
through centrifugation of the patient’s own bone marrow
and used for point-of-care therapy. Bone marrow is
rich in total nucleated cells including those known
to stimulate the production of new collateral vessels.
Concentrated BMA is high in hematopoietic stem cells,
mesenchymal stem cells, and endothelial progenitor
cells, which are known to be vital to biological processes
such as the regeneration of tissue. The bone marrow
is taken preferably from the hip bone in a minimally
invasive manner using an 11 gauge aspiration needle.
The marrow is then transferred to a unique processing
disposable, where it then goes through an exclusive and
patented separation process involving Cell Capture™
technology developed by Terumo BCT. The Harvest®
SmartPrep® processing system produces a concentration
and composition of autologous regenerative cells that can
then be used as an autologous graft.
In the vascular surgery realm, BMA can be used, for
example, to heal areas of limbs that have been severely
compromised due to lack of blood flow. Working closely
with the continuing development of the Harvest® BMAC
system, vascular surgeons are using this new strategy as a
part of the limb saving program at Baylor Jack and Jane
Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital.