Intracoronary administration of autologous mesenchymal stem cells in a critically ill patient with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Relatively high prevalence of dilated cardiomyopathy in children, unfavorable response to traditional drug therapy, and limitations in heart transplantation call for new therapeutic options. Stem cell therapy can be promising in children suffering from this disease. The presented case documents that intracoronary injection of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in a boy with progressive dilated cardiomyopathy is feasible and safe. Furthermore, it may positively influence functional class, quality of life, and echocardiographic indices of cardiac function.