Study: Stem cells from strangers can repair hearts

In this Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012 photo provided by the University of Miami, Dr. Joshua M. Hare, director of the Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, performs a heart biopsy, a preliminary step in one of several cardiac stem cell trials at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Researchers are reporting key advances using stem cells to fix weakened, damaged hearts. In one study, bone marrow cells donated by unrelated strangers helped repair hearts, suggesting that cells could be banked for off-the-shelf use in patients after heart attacks the way blood is banked now. (AP Photo/University of Miami)Researchers are reporting a key advance in using stem cells to repair hearts damaged by heart attacks. In a study, stem cells donated by strangers proved as safe and effective as patients' own cells for helping restore heart tissue.