Stem Cell Infusion to Reverse Left Ventricular Remodeling: Encouraging Findings

Bone marrow mononuclear cells transplanted during coronary artery bypass grafting significantly improved functional measures in patients with heart failure.

In small and exploratory studies, intracoronary infusion of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) improved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy after acute myocardial infarction (MI). To explore whether BMMCs benefit patients with chronic heart failure (HF), investigators in China conducted a randomized trial of coronary artery bypass grafting with or without autologous BMMNC infusion via graft vessels to the arrested hearts of 60 patients (mean age, 60; 7% women). All had three-vessel coronary artery disease, previous MIs, and LVEFs of <30%.

Median LVEF, assessed by magnetic resonance imaging, was 23% at baseline. At 6 months, the BMMNC group had significantly greater improvements than the cont…

Reviewing Author

Howard C. Herrmann, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAffluent Medical; Artedrone; Caranx; Johnson & Johnson; Medtronic; Prolifagen; Wells Fargo

EquityMicrointerventional Devices, Inc.

RoyaltiesUniversity of Pennsylvania

Grant/Research SupportAbbott Vascular; Edwards Lifesciences; Johnson & Johnson; Medtronic

Editorial BoardsCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions; Journal of the American College of Cardiology; Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions; JACC Cardiovascular Interventions; JACC Case Reports; JSCAI