Preparing for Your Stem Cell Therapy Treatment

At Okyanos Heart Institute, we understand the anxiety that can come with needing medical treatment like stem cell therapy for heart disease. Strong communication is the key to a comfortable, reassuring and professional experience. We encourage all of our patients to read about what they can expect during their stay with us. Let your patient coordinator know of any specific needs or questions you may have.

Day 1 – Travel

Typically, the patient arrives in the Bahamas on the day before their first visit to the clinic. This allows them ample time to check into their hotel, settle in and get a full night’s sleep.

Read more about travel and accommodation»

Day 2 – Clinic Visit

The patient arrives for an office visit at Okyanos Heart Institute and meets with the patient coordinator. The coordinator is responsible for ensuring that every person receives efficient, world-class care, throughout their time at the clinic. They are available to answer any additional questions about Okyanos Heart Institute and to explain how things will run on the day of the procedure.

The patient then meets with a cardiologist. During this consultation, the physician takes a full medical history and performs a thorough physical examination. The cardiologist explains the cell therapy procedure and answers any questions that the patient may have.

Day 3 – Procedure Day

The day of the procedure starts with an echocardiogram. The echocardiogram allows the medical team to get an up-to-date picture of the heart. The cardiologist can decide which areas of the heart to target with cell therapy.

After the echocardiogram, the cell extraction portion of the procedure begins. It takes approximately one hour and is performed under moderate sedation with a local anesthetic. Adipose tissue (fat) is removed by liposuction. A machine then separates the stem and regenerative cells from the rest of the tissue. The cells are injected into the heart, via a catheter in the groin.

After the procedure, the patient is taken to a recovery suite, where they are monitored for several hours. Family members are permitted to join them in his or her suite. After follow up with the cardiologist, the patient returns to their hotel.

Find out more about the stem cell therapy procedure»

Day 4 – Day of Rest

On the day after the procedure, the patient is asked to rest. It is important to allow time for healing. An echo may be performed this day or the next in the clinic.

Day 5 – Final Clinic Visit

On the final day of their stay, the patient returns to the clinic. They are examined by the cardiologist and another echocardiogram is performed. During this visit, the team answers any remaining questions that the patient may have regarding recovery after stem cell therapy for heart disease. Before discharge from the clinic, detailed instructions are provided regarding follow up care.