title: Video-assisted thoracoscopic transplantation of myoblasts into the heart.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Currently, cells are transplanted into injured myocardium either through thoracotomy for open surgical delivery or through catheterization for endoventricular or intracoronary delivery; both methods have limitations. Open surgical delivery limits the potential patient population, whereas catheter-based delivery limits the ability to visualize the injection site and confirm delivery of the cells to the appropriate region. In this study, we examine the feasibility of cell transplantation into myocardium using a minimally invasive thoracoscopic approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven swine underwent thoracoscopic cell transplantation. Using a prototype injection device, approximately 10 million myoblasts were injected into the anterior, lateral, posterior, and apical regions of myocardium. Animals were recovered up to 7 days, and after euthanasia, hearts were explanted for histology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All seven swine had successful delivery of myoblasts into the defined injection sites, as confirmed by analysis of an operative video, magnetic resonance imaging of iron-oxide-labeled cells, and histologic examination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thoracoscopic cellular cardiomyoplasty is feasible and allows the surgeon the benefits of direct visualization of the cell injection while minimizing morbidity associated with open cell delivery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Richard B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Cyrus J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Parsa
authors.forename: Ewout J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: van den Bos
authors.forename: Bryce H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Toloza
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Klem
authors.forename: Donald D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Glower
authors.forename: Doris A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000032:analysis; D007211:Indoles / Q000032:analysis; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine; D032446:Myoblasts / Q000637:transplantation*; D009206:Myocardium; D034421:Sus scrofa; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
chemical_list: D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007211:Indoles; C000499:ferric oxide; C007293:DAPI