Abstract 3401: Cell Therapy For Idiophatic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Given the limited therapeutic options for refractory dilated cardiomyopathy we decided to perform a phase I clinical trial using bone marrow derived mononuclear cells in patients with functional classes II and IV of the NYHA. Inclusion criteria required EF% (Simpson) <35%, VO2 max < 16 kg.ml /min and signed informed consent. After enrollment patients were subject to the following exams at baseline, 2 and 6 months after cell therapy: 12 lead ECG and 24hs holter, echocardiography, chest X-ray, blood biochemistry, BNP, ergoespirometry, MRI and Minnesota Questionnaire. Patients were subject to bone marrow aspiration (80–100 mL) under sedation and local anesthesia and mononuclear cells were obtained after Ficoll gradient centrifugation. A mean of 198 million cells diluted in 20 ml of saline were slowly delivered through catheterization in the coronary arteries (10 ml in LAD, 5 ml in RC, 5 ml in CX). After the procedure patients remained hospitalized for 48hs. We report the results of the first 22 patients that completed the follow-up period. No adverse effects related to the procedure were observed, nor were arrhythmias detected after cell delivery. Four patients died during follow up. For the 18 patients that completed follow up, there was a significant improvement in NYHA functional class and quality of life at 2 and 6 months (p<0.03 and p< 0.007, respectively). There were no statistically significant changes in EF% (18.6%, 18.6% and 19%), EDV (360, 371, 386 ml) or ESV (295, 308, 314 ml) at baseline, 2 and 6 months respectively as measured by MRI. Maximal oxygen consumption showed as significant increase after cell therapy (12.5, 15.3, 16.8 ml/kg.min), and the number of patients with oxygen consumption below the threshold for cardiac transplantation decrease from 75% at baseline to 25% six months after cell therapy. BNP levels were not significantly altered (650, 475, 530 pg/ml). When observed individually, 4 of the 17 patients examined showed an increase in EF% by MRI ≥5%, 7 did not change EF% and 3 decreased EF% by ≥5%. In conclusion, the procedure is safe and feasible but further studies are necessary to test for efficacy.