Enriched bone marrow-derived progenitor cells for heart diseases

The aims of these trials were to investigate whether infused autologous progenitor cells can improve damaged organ function. After bone marrow aspiration, progenitor cells are enriched by centrifugation. The cell suspension consists of a heterogeneous cell population, including hematopoietic, mesenchymal and other progenitor cells, as well as mononuclear cells. These cells were used for treating heart diseases, such as acute myocardial infarction, dilated cardiomyopathy and ischemic heart disease. Intracoronary infusion of progenitor cells can be performed with adequate safety in patients with acute myocardial infarction or chronic heart failure, because the safety profile in treated patients was similar to what is usually expected from a coronary angiogram. Cell treatment was found safe and caused reduced cardiovascular event rate. The treatment had beneficial effects on cardiovascular outcomes, including the recovery of left ventricular function, for at least 2 years, and a positive effect on maladaptive hypertrophy of viable myocardium.