Abstract

TRAININI, Jorge C. et al. Myoblast Transplantation for Cardiac Repair: Results of a Three Year Follow-Up. Rev. argent. cardiol. [online]. 2006, vol.74, n.5, pp.304-307. ISSN 1850-3748.

This study was performed as a follow-up of one of the first reports published in the world literature regarding the clinical implant of cells with myoblasts (previously reported in this journal). A total of 68 evaluable segments were analyzed and categorized in 4 groups: transmural infarction, non transmural infarction, ischemic or normal. In 4 patients who survived after 33 ± 6.05 months, there was a frank decrease in the number of segments with transmural scars, and an increase in the number of non-transmural and ischemic segments. The number of segments with transmural involvement decreased from 15 to 3, i.e., an 80% reduction (p=0.0005). A comprehensive assessment of non-transmural segments showed that although the overall number of such segments increased from 7 to 10, segments which were reported preoperatively as non-transmural scars decreased from 7 to 2, i-e., 72%. The overall increase in segments with non-transmural scars may be explained either by progression of the disease or by segments with transmural scars which have improved to non-transmural involvement due to a reversal in the fibrotic process.

Keywords : Myoblasts; Cell transplantation; Congestive heart failure.