This is the first trial that used autologous cardiac stem cells for the treatment of ischemic cardiomyopathy. It consecutively enrolled 37 patients with reduced ejection fraction (lower than 40%) before myocardial revascularization surgery. It was administered by intra coronary infusion and 17 were control subjects. In the group injected with stem cells, EF significantly improved at 24 months (11,9%, p<0,001 medial increase) vs. control group (3,7%, p=0,47).
Conclusion: Intracoronary injection of autologous stem cells improves EF and reduces infarction size.
Comment: Trials with stem cells have been carried out for some time now and, even though results are encouraging, further and larger studies are required, randomized and blind, to determine, among other things, the best way to administer stem cells
Roberto Bolli
2012-11-06
Original title: Effect of Cardiac Stem Cells in Patients with Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: Interim Results of the SCIPIO Trial Up to 2 Years.
