Stem Cell Therapy for Acute Myocardial Infarction-Long Term 24 Months Follow-Up

Background: Intra-coronary injection of Autologous Bone Marrow-Stem Cells (ABMSC) has been demonstrated to improve Left Ventricular (LV) function after acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). After analyzing the safety and feasibility of this treatment, long term durability of the treatment effect is needed to be analyzed. The aim of the present study was to analyze the ventricular remodeling by LV function and clinical effects of patients undergone ABMSCs therapy following Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) at 24 months. Material and Methods: Twelve AMI patients with ABMSC therapy (ABMSC group) and seven AMI patients without this therapy (Controls) were followed up for 24 months. LV functions were analyzed by 2D Echocardiography (2D ECHO) while the long term effects of bone marrow infusion on any organ were assessed by clinical evaluation, pathological tests, ECG, Holter monitoring, chest X-ray and Sonography of abdomen and pelvic organs. Results: Long term follow-up of 24 months of AMI patients with ABMSC therapy demonstrated no adverse clinical effects on cardiac or extra cardiac organs. 2D ECHO of ABMSC group demonstrated increase in LVEF from baseline at 6 month (3.8%) which was sustained at 24 month (1.63% increase) with improvement in LV functions. However, in the control group there was marginal increase in LVEF (1.5%) at sixth month which was decreased by 7.3% at 24 month as compared to baseline, with no change in LV functions. Conclusion: This study demonstrated safety and feasibility of infusing ABMSCs in the culprit coronary artery. It also demonstrated better clinical course in stem cell therapy group as compared to patients without this therapy at 24 months follow-up.