Autologous bone marrow cells transplantation in ischaemic cardiomyopathy: initial clinical results

Abstract

During the past few years, tremendous advances have been made in surgical and interventional revascularisation in the treatment of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD). Additionally, life-style modifications and new pharmacological agents have been added to the therapeutic arsenal to relieve patients from angina pectoris. Still, there is an increasing number of patients with CAD whose symptoms are unresponsive to conventional medical therapy and revascularisation procedures, a condition frequently referred to as refractory angina [1]. The severity and extent of the disease preclude complete myocardial revascularisation. Instead, affected patients undergo ‘incomplete’ coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), in which one or more diseased vessels are left without being grafted. Although there is usually improvement in the symptoms for variable periods of time after surgery, many patients continue to experience angina in their daily activities, thus rendering this approach only partially effective. Alternative therapies for refractory angina include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [2], enhanced external counterpulsation [3], and transmyocardial laser revascularisation [4]. In the last decade, gene therapy for ischaemic vascular disease has slowly made its way to the clinical stage, with promising results [5].