Intracoronary delivery of mesenchymal stem cells reduces proarrhythmogenic risks in swine with myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION

The electrophysiological consequences of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy in ischemic heart disease have not been fully understood.

METHODS

Swine myocardial infarction (MI) model by intracoronary balloon occlusion received MSC solution or 0.9% NaCl. Six weeks later, heart rate turbulence (HRT), dispersion of action potential durations (APD) and repolarization time (RT) (APDd and RTd), slope of APD reconstitution curve and programmed electrical stimulation were used to evaluate the ventricular arrhythmic risks.

RESULTS

MSC treatment could significantly ameliorate the abnormal HRT, APD(90), APDd, RT and RTd. The slope of APD reconstitution curve in MSC group was higher than control group but lower than MI group. MSC therapy markedly reduced inducible malignant ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), and improved impaired cardiac performances and cardiac fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides strong evidence that MSC infusion via intracoronary route does not cause VAs but tends to reduce the risk of malignant VAs.