Stem cells improve left ventricular function in acute myocardial infarction.
BACKGROUND
Animal studies have suggested dramatic improvement in cardiac function after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) through regeneration of the myocardium or neovascularization by transfer of cells derived from bone marrow (BMC) generated clinical studies. Recently published small sized studies have yielded mixed results, leaving the question unanswered.


OBJECTIVE
We analyzed data from these studies in a meta-analysis to investigate if intracoronary stem cell therapy was effective in improving cardiac function.


METHODS
A total of 7 randomized controlled trials meeting the inclusion criteria were identified by a systematic literature search. Primary endpoint was change in global left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) baseline to follow-up (ranging between 3 to 6 months). The meta-analysis consisted of 516 patients (BMC group, 256; control group, 260). A 2-sided alpha error of less than .05 was considered to be statistically significant (P<.05).


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the BMC treatment and control groups at baseline. Compared to the control group, patients in the BMC treatment group had significantly greater increase in LVEF from baseline to follow-up (mean difference: 6.108%; SE: 1.753%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.672%- 9.543%; P<.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The present meta-analysis suggests that intracoronary bone marrow stem cell infusion may be effective in improving left ventricular systolic function in patients after acute myocardial infarction.
Singh
Sarabjeet
S
Department of Medicine, Division Cardiology, Chicago Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60660, USA. sarabjeetsingh_2000@yahoo.com
Arora
Rohit
R
Handa
Kamna
K
Khraisat
Ahmad
A
Nagajothi
Nagapradeep
N
Molnar
Janos
J
Khosla
Sandeep
S
D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling