Percutaneous autologous myoblast transplantation in the treatment of post-infarction myocardial contractility impairment--report on two cases.

Numerous animal experimental studies as well as the initial human experience have shown that autologous skeletal myoblast transplantation into area of post-infarction left ventricular injury results in an increase in segmental contractile performance related to contraction of cells differentiated from transplanted myoblasts. We have previously introduced skeletal myoblast transplantation performed at the time of coronary artery bypass grafting. Currently, we report the first two cases in Poland of percutaneous autologous myoblast transplantation in the treatment of post-infarction heart failure. The procedures were performed using a catheter system enabling intra-myocardial injections from the lumen of cardiac veins under intravascular ultrasound guidance. Lack of major procedural complications and expected benefits from myocardial regeneration in patients with post-infarction heart failure justify initiation of phase one clinical trial to evaluate this method.