Stem cell therapy in postinfarction chronic coronary heart disease
Michael Brehm1, Bodo E Strauer
1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Pneumology and Angiology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany. brehm@med.uni-duesseldorf.de
Nature Clinical Practice. Cardiovascular Medicine
|February 28, 2006
Summary
Bone-marrow-derived cell (BMDC) therapy regenerated heart tissue in patients with chronic myocardial infarction. This cell therapy improved cardiac function, reduced infarct size, and enhanced metabolic activity in damaged heart muscle.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cardiovascular Research
- Cell Therapy
Background:
- Bone-marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) are known to improve cardiac function after acute myocardial infarction.
- The efficacy of BMDC therapy in chronic myocardial infarction remained unproven.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of autologous BMDC transplantation for functional and metabolic regeneration in patients with chronic myocardial infarction.
Main Methods:
- 18 patients with chronic myocardial infarction received intracoronary transplantation of autologous BMDCs.
- A control group received no cell therapy.
- Cardiac function, infarct size, oxygen uptake, and metabolic activity were assessed after 3 months.
Main Results:
- BMDC therapy significantly reduced infarct size by 30% and increased global left ventricular ejection fraction by 15%.
- Wall-movement velocity improved by 57%, maximum oxygen uptake by 11%, and regional glucose uptake by 15% in the BMDC group.
- No significant changes were observed in the control group.
Conclusions:
- Autologous BMDC transplantation can achieve functional and metabolic regeneration of chronically infarcted heart tissue in humans.
- BMDC therapy offers a promising approach for treating chronic myocardial infarction.
