Endothelial progenitors for treatment of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility, safety, and initial clinical outcome of intravenous infusion of autologous endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). Preliminary clinical data suggest that transplantation of EPCs is feasible and safe in these patients. IV infusion of EPCs was associated with increases in their 6-min walk distance and with hemodynamic improvements. The 6-min walk test is a reliable measure of exercise capacity in patients with IPAH. It is suggested that the transplantation of autologous EPCs may have beneficial effects on exercise capacity and pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with IPAH.