Cell biology, MRI and geometry: insight into a microscopic/macroscopic marriage.
OBJECTIVE
The concept of cell therapy as an adjunctive therapy to myocardial surgical revascularization for patients with severe coronary artery disease is illustrated by two case reports of ischemic cardiac disease that were unsuitable for revascularization by coronary grafting. The potential interaction of cell therapy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of viability, and left ventricle (LV) restoration is described.


METHODS
Each patient had an ejection fraction below 30%, a relatively conical heart, and MRI gadolinium scan showing predominantly viable muscle.


RESULTS
Intramyocardial injections of autologous bone marrow-derived cells (BMC) were performed along with either incomplete coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (to mother regions) or with transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR). An improvement in contractile function was seen at 6-12-month intervals after the procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
The implications of possible underlying mechanisms of improvement in both myocardial perfusion and contractility suggest the striking importance of both micro- and macroenvironment for any cell-based therapeutic strategy. These observations imply that the interaction of cell biology, viability by MRI and geometry may be important in the future, as geometry can be restored surgically, and the new architectural form may develop enhanced function if it contains viable tissue and cell-based treatment can be delivered.
Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil. sergioaoliveira@incor.usp.br
Sérgio Almeida
SA
de Oliveira
Luís Henrique W
LH
Gowdak
Gerald
G
Buckberg
José Eduardo
JE
Krieger
D000368:Aged; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome