Transcoronary Infusion of Bone Marrow Derived Multipotent Stem Cells to Preserve Left Ventricular Geometry and Function After Myocardial Infarction

Background Myocardial damage after myocardial infarction (MI) was deemed irreversible after late reperfusion. Administration of multipotent stem cell (MSC) into such infarct may regenerate the myocardium and capillary network. Hypothesis Transcoronary infusion of bone marrow derived multipotent stem cells into infarcted related artery after acute myocardial infarction is feasible, safe and improve left ventricular function. Methods We conducted a pilot study in patients who survived ST‐elevation MI with late reperfusion therapy and remained hemodynamically stable. Bone marrow derived MSC was infused into a patent infarct‐related coronary artery during brief low pressure (2 atm) balloon inflation. A 3‐T gadolinium‐based MRI was performed at baseline and 8 weeks later to evaluate infarct area and LV function. Results We enrolled 10 patients, age 63.8 ± 2.8 years 5.2 ± 4.12 × 106 MSC were infused via coronary artery 24.8 ± 16 days after infarction. The procedures were successful in all patients without any in‐hospital event. Infarct size by MRI decreased by 5.84% (P = .018) over 8 weeks. Mean baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 44.1% ± 9% and was 46.3% ± 9% at 8 weeks (P = .34). A trend of smaller LV end‐systolic volume with 65.02 ± 18.2 ml vs 63.04 ± 21.89 ml (P = .09) with no change of LV end‐diastolic volume observed. Conclusion MSC infusion into coronary circulation was feasible and safe after myocardial infarction. Infarct size was reduced with preservation of LV geometry. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.