Functional improvement in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy after the intracoronary infusion of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Different studies have shown improvement in patients with idiopathic nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy treated with cell-therapy. However, factors influencing responsiveness are not well known. This trial investigates functional changes and factors influencing the 6-month gain in ejection fraction in 27 patients with dilated cardiomiopathy treated with intracoronary cell-therapy. METHODS Patients received intracoronary infusion of autologous bone-marrow mononuclear cells (mean infused, 10.2 [2.9]×10(8)). Flow cytometry and functional analyses of the cells were also performed. RESULTS The 6-month angiographic gain in ejection fraction ranged from -9% to 34% (mean, 9%). These changes were distinguished into 2 groups: 21 patients (78%) with a significant improvement at the 6-month evaluation (mean gain, 14 [7]%), and 6 patients who had no response (mean gain, -5 [3]%). The responders were younger as compared to the nonresponders (50 [12] years vs 62 [9] years; P<.04). There was an inverse correlation (r=-0.41; P<.003) between the gain in ejection fraction and the high density lipoprotein level, suggesting higher functional gain with low high density lipoprotein levels. The 24 h migratory capability of the infused cells was significantly reduced in the responders' group (5.4 [1.7]×10(8) vs 8.1 [2.3]×10(8); P<.009 for vascular endothelial growth factor and 5.8 [1.7]×10(8) vs 8.4 [2.9]×10(8); P<.002 for stromal cell-derived factor-1). CONCLUSIONS Younger patients with dilated cardiomiopathy and lower plasma high density lipoprotein levels gain greater benefit from intracoronary cell-therapy. Functional improvement also seems to be enhanced by a lower migratory capacity of the infused cells.