OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of autologous bone marrow stem cell transplant on clinical symptoms, overall left ventricle ejection fraction and myocardial perfusion in patients with recent anterior myocardial infarction in left anterior descending artery territory. METHODS: The study was conducted in the department of interventional cardiology of Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, National Institute of Heart Diseases (AFIC/NIHD), Rawalpindi from June 2004 to November 2006. There were 26 male patients with recent anterior myocardial infarction, having anterior/apical hypokinesia and disease process involving only left anterior descending artery, who were recruited. The whole procedure was explained to the patients in the language of their best understanding and informed consent was obtained. Stem cell harvest was obtained from both posterior superior iliac crests, which were processed to note total and mean mononuclear cell counts. Stem cells were transplanted into the damaged myocardium using stop flow technique through lumen of over-the-wire balloon catheter, placed in mid left anterior descending artery. All patients tolerated the procedure well except for a few complications which were tackled by the experienced operators. The patients were advised to continue conventional medical therapy. The efficacy of stem cell transplant was objectively assessed by comparing effects on three parameters--clinical, left ventricle cineangiographic, and nuclear scintigraphic status--at baseline and at 12 weeks after transplantation. RESULTS: There is improvement in general well being, left ventricle ejection fraction and myocardial perfusion after stem cell therapy. CONCLUSION: Autologous bone marrow stem cell transplant seems to be a favourable and secure way of treatment for improvement of post-myocardial infarction ejection fraction and perfusion. There is dire need to conduct larger randomised controlled trials to assess efficacy of this cost-effective mode of therapy, especially in our part of the world.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of autologous bone marrow stem cell transplant on clinical symptoms, overall left ventricle ejection fraction and myocardial perfusion in patients with recent anterior myocardial infarction in left anterior descending artery territory. METHODS: The study was conducted in the department of interventional cardiology of Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, National Institute of Heart Diseases (AFIC/NIHD), Rawalpindi from June 2004 to November 2006. There were 26 male patients with recent anterior myocardial infarction, having anterior/apical hypokinesia and disease process involving only left anterior descending artery, who were recruited. The whole procedure was explained to the patients in the language of their best understanding and informed consent was obtained. Stem cell harvest was obtained from both posterior superior iliac crests, which were processed to note total and mean mononuclear cell counts. Stem cells were transplanted into the damaged myocardium using stop flow technique through lumen of over-the-wire balloon catheter, placed in mid left anterior descending artery. All patients tolerated the procedure well except for a few complications which were tackled by the experienced operators. The patients were advised to continue conventional medical therapy. The efficacy of stem cell transplant was objectively assessed by comparing effects on three parameters--clinical, left ventricle cineangiographic, and nuclear scintigraphic status--at baseline and at 12 weeks after transplantation. RESULTS: There is improvement in general well being, left ventricle ejection fraction and myocardial perfusion after stem cell therapy. CONCLUSION: Autologous bone marrow stem cell transplant seems to be a favourable and secure way of treatment for improvement of post-myocardial infarction ejection fraction and perfusion. There is dire need to conduct larger randomised controlled trials to assess efficacy of this cost-effective mode of therapy, especially in our part of the world.