Studies in animal models and in small human clinical trials suggest that transplantation of a patient’s own bone marrow stem cells may improve cardiac function following a heart attack. In 2007, NIH began the Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Clinical Research Network to further investigate the feasibility of this personalized cell therapy approach. Research topics will include determining exactly how cell therapy improves heart function and developing screening methods to monitor cell therapy treatment in individual patients.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the leading admission diagnosis for hospitalization in the United States and carries a 50%, five-year mortality rate. The shortage of donor hearts limits the utility of cardiac transplantation; the only curative procedure available. Recent studies have suggested that it may be possible to grow new blood vessels (angiogenesis) to supply the heart muscle that is currently not getting enough blood. While still under study and unproven, some research suggests bone marrow contains special stem cells (cells from which other types of cells develop) that may promote blood vessel growth, prevent cell death, and transform themselves into a number of tissues including muscle. The CCTRN is currently developing studies which use a patient’s own bone marrow cells to try to promote blood vessel growth in his/her heart. These cells are delivered to the heart in the attempt to improve the blood supply to the heart and the heart’s ability to pump blood. The information gained in these research studies may improve the understanding of safety of using stem cells in the heart and aid in the advancement of medical knowledge.

Myocardial infarction (heart attack) results from a blood clot forming in one of the coronary arteries. This blood clot blocks the flow of blood into the heart resulting in injury and death to some of the heart muscle. Treatment involves a procedure called angioplasty which opens up the blocked artery and restores blood flow to the heart muscle. However, if severe enough, some form of permanent (lasting) heart damage can result. There may be a significant amount of heart tissue that has been injured that may not recover. In some cases, this injury may result in enlargement of the heart and may lead to a condition called congestive heart failure. Bone marrow contains special stem cells that may promote blood vessel growth, prevent cell death, and transform themselves into a number of tissues including muscle. Recent studies in animals and humans have shown that these stem cells can improve heart muscle function following a heart attack. The purpose of this study is to determine if these cells taken from an individual’s bone marrow can be transplanted back into the injured heart muscle of the individual and improve the heart’s function following a heart attack. Additionally, because this study is transplanting these cells either 3 days or 7 days following a heart attack, it will help determine the best time for transplant of these cells following such an event.

Source: Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network Coordinating Center