The Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Cardiomyopathy: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

The efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for cardiomyopathy remains controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the influence of MSCs versus placebo on the treatment efficacy of cardiomyopathy.

We searched PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Cochrane Library databases through November 2018 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the treatment efficacy of MSCs versus placebo for cardiomyopathy. This meta-analysis was performed using the random-effect model.

Five RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with the control group for cardiomyopathy, MSCs treatment showed significantly positive effect on LVEF (MD = 5.85; 95% CI = 3.88 to 7.83; P < .00001), NYHA classification (MD = -1.11; 95% CI = -1.45 to -0.77; P < .00001), LVEDd (MD = -3.00; 95% CI = -5.37 to -0.64; P = .01), and the proportion of fixed defects (MD = -4.22; 95% CI = -6.91 to -1.52; P = .002), but had no obvious influence on death (RR = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.12 to 1.50; P = 0.18) or adverse events (RR = 1.14; 95% CI = 0.70 to 1.86; P = .59).

MSCs treatment showed favorable impact on LVEF, NYHA classification, LVEDd, and the proportion of fixed defects for cardiomyopathy patients.