Qld: Artificial blood vessels gives dialysis patients new hope

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Qld: Artificial blood vessels gives dialysis patients new hope

Scientists may be able to grow artificial blood vessels in a patient's abdomen as earlyas next year, offering hope to people on kidney dialysis.

Dr JULIE CAMPBELL, of the University of Queensland's School of Biomedical Science,says tests on rats, mice, rabbits and dogs have shown arteries can be grown in 25cm lengthsaround artificial tubing.

Professor CAMPBELL says scientists and doctors could carry out the same process inhumans as soon as next year.

AAP RTV rad/jhm/wz/psm/

KEYWORD: BLOOD (BRISBANE)