HAVANA, Cuba.- The Ernesto Che Guevara Heart Cardiac Center, in the central Cuban city of Santa Clara, is now applying a novel procedure consisting of implanting of stem cells in the infarction area and its peripheral zone in the context of coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

This procedure benefited Francisco Palenzuela Barrera, who lives in Caibarién, and was carried out by a multidisciplinary team of specialists from various health institutions in the central region, reported Granma newspaper.

Four days after the surgery, the first patient to receive stem cells in the heart evolves favourably in the Intensive Care Unit of the said cardiac center.

Dr. Alvaro Lagomasino Hidalgo, a prominent cardiovascular surgeon who led the team, told Granma that the technique used in the treatment of severe heart failure, is a viable alternative to the shortage of organs for transplantation.

This is the main solution to this type of ailment, which is used only in institutions and countries with a high scientific level, he said.

He said the patient had a history of heart conditions and suffered severe disorders of the cardiac ventricular function, which is why the medical staff decided surgery was indicated.

Previously, this technique had been used only in the Havana´s Cardiology Institute.

Today, the medical staff in this hospital is preparing to do it also through the catheter, a process that will be phased in gradually, said Dr. Rosendo Ibargollín, deputy director of Interventional Cardiology at the prestigious institution.