Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Combined With Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells Delivered Through a Graft Vessel for Patients With Previous Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart Failure

Objectives This study aimed at examining the efficacy of bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMNC) delivery through graft vessel for patients with a previous myocardial infarction (MI) and chronic heart failure during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Background Little evidence exists supporting the practice of BMMNC delivery through graft vessel for patients with a previous MI and chronic heart failure during CABG. Methods From November 2006 to June 2009, a randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to test the efficacy and safety of CABG for multivessel coronary artery disease combined with autologous BMMNCs in patients with congestive heart failure due to severe ischemic cardiomyopathy. Sixty-five patients were recruited, and 60 patients remained in the final trial and were randomized to a CABG + BMMNC group (n = 31) and a placebo-control group (i.e., CABG-only group, n = 29). All patients discharged received a 6-month follow-up. Changes in left ventricular ejection fraction from baseline to 6-month follow-up, as examined by magnetic resonance imaging, were of primary interest. Results The overall baseline age was 59.5 ± 9.2 years, and 6.7% were women. After a 6-month follow-up, compared with the placebo-control group, the CABG + BMMNC group had significant changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.029), left ventricular end-systolic volume index (p = 0.017), and wall motion index score (p = 0.011). Also, the changes in the distance on the 6-min walking test as well as B-type natriuretic peptide were significantly greater in the CABG + BMMNC group than in the control group. Conclusions In summary, patients with a previous MI and chronic heart failure could potentially benefit from isolated CABG (i.e., those who received CABG only) combined with BMMNCs delivered through a graft vessel. (Stem Cell Therapy to Improve Myocardial Function in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting [CABG]; NCT00395811)