Angiographic and clinical comparisons of intravascular ultrasound- versus angiography-guided drug-eluting stent implantation for patients with chronic total occlusion lesions: two-year results from a randomised AIR-CTO study.

AIMS: This study sought to compare angiographic endpoints at one-year follow-up after a drug-eluting stent implantation guided by either intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or angiography in patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with at least one CTO lesion recanalised successfully were randomly assigned to the IVUS-guided or the angiography-guided group. The use of IVUS for penetration of the true lumen and optimisation of stent expansion was only done in the IVUS-guided group. The primary endpoint was in-stent late lumen loss (LLL) at one-year follow-up. A total of 230 patients with CTO lesions after successful recanalisation were enrolled and followed with office visits or telephone contact up to 24 months. In-stent LLL in the IVUS-guided group was significantly lower compared to the angiography-guided group at one-year follow-up (0.28±0.48 mm vs. 0.46±0.68 mm, p=0.025), with a significant difference in restenosis of the "in-true-lumen" stent between the two groups (3.9% vs.13.7%, p=0.021). The minimal lumen diameter and minimal stent cross-section area significantly and negatively correlated with LLL (all p<0.001). The rates of adverse clinical events were comparable between the IVUS- and angiography-guided groups at two-year follow-up (21.7% vs. 25.2%, p=0.641). CONCLUSIONS: The IVUS-guided stenting of the CTO lesion was associated with less LLL and a lower incidence of "in-true-lumen" stent restenosis. Additional study is required to identify the clinical benefit of the IVUS-guided procedure for CTO lesions. [ChiCTR-TRC-10000996].

Randomized Comparison of FFR-Guided and Angiography-Guided Provisional Stenting of True Coronary Bifurcation Lesions: The DKCRUSH-VI Trial (Double Kissing Crush Versus Provisional Stenting Technique for Treatment of Coronary Bifurcation Lesions VI).

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare the outcomes of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided and angiography (Angio)-guided provisional side-branch (SB) stenting for true coronary bifurcation lesions. BACKGROUND: Angio-guided provisional SB stenting after stenting of the main vessel provides favorable outcomes for the majority of coronary bifurcation lesions. Whether an FFR-guided provisional stenting approach is superior has not been studied. METHODS: A total of 320 patients with single Medina 1,1,1 and 0,1,1 coronary bifurcation lesions undergoing stenting with a provisional SB approach were randomly assigned 1:1 to Angio-guided and FFR-guided groups. SB stenting was performed for Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade<3, ostial SB stenosis>70%, or greater than type A dissection after main vessel stenting in the Angio-guided group and for SB-FFR<0.80 in the FFR-guided group. The primary endpoint was the 1-year composite rate of major adverse cardiac events (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and clinically driven target vessel revascularization). RESULTS: Comparing the Angio-guided and FFR-guided groups, treatment of the SB (balloon or stenting) was performed in 63.1% and 56.3% of lesions respectively (p=0.07); stenting of the SB was attempted in 38.1% and 25.9%, respectively (p=0.01); and, when attempted, stenting was successful in 83.6% and 73.3% of SBs, respectively (p=0.01). The 1-year composite major adverse cardiac event rate was 18.1% in both groups (hazard ratio: 0.91, 95% confidence interval: 0.48 to 1.88; p=1.00). The 1-year target vessel revascularization and stent thrombosis rates were 6.9% and 5.6% (p=0.82) and 1.3% and 0.6% (p=0.56) in the Angio-guided and FFR-guided groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this multicenter, randomized trial, angiographic and FFR guidance of provisional SB stenting of true coronary bifurcation lesions provided similar 1-year clinical outcomes. (Randomized Study on DK Crush Technique Versus Provisional Stenting Technique for Coronary Artery Bifurcation Lesions; ChiCTR-TRC-07000015).

[Risk factors and clinical outcome of coronary artery aneurysms developed after drug-eluting stent implantation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate risk factors and clinical outcome of coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) developed after drug-eluting stent implantation evidenced by coronary angiographic follow-up. METHODS: This study analyzed 4500 consecutive patient with de novo coronary artery stenosis receiving drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation from January 2004 to May 2009. Seven hundred and sixty patients with angiographic follow-ups at 6 - 8 months and 28 - 48 months after the index procedure were enrolled. CAA was defined as a localized dilatation exceeding 1.5 times the diameter of the adjacent artery. The independent risk factors and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, target-vessel revascularization (TVR) and in-stent thrombosis were analyzed. RESULTS: CAA was detected in 70 patients with 70 lesions (9.2%, 70/760). Logistic analysis showed that lesion in an infarct-related artery (OR: 5.9, P < 0.01), lesion in the left anterior descending artery (OR: 4.5, P < 0.01), lesion with chronic total occlusion (OR: 3.4, P < 0.05), and lesion length > 33 mm (OR: 2.9, P < 0.05) were independent risk factors for CAA. Follow-up duration was (1131 ± 478) days. MACE was found in 19 patients and all received TVR. There were 11 patients with myocardial infarction and 8 patients with evidence of in-stent thrombosis. Mortality was zero during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors for the development of CAA after DES are lesions in an infarct-related artery, in the left anterior descending artery, with chronic total occlusion, and with lesion length > 33 mm. MACE is not uncommon in patients with CAA and long-ferm clinical follow-up is warranted for patients with CAA.

Coronary bifurcation lesions treated with double kissing crush technique compared to classical crush technique: serial intravascular ultrasound analysis.

BACKGROUND: The double kissing (DK) crush technique is a modified version of the crush technique. It is specifically designed to increase the success rate of the final kissing balloon post-dilatation, but its efficacy and safety remain unclear. METHODS: Data were obtained from the DKCRUSH-I trial, a prospective, randomized, multi-center study to evaluate safety and efficacy. Post-procedural and eight-month follow-up intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) analysis was available in 61 cases. Volumetric analysis using Simpson's method within the Taxus stent, and cross-sectional analysis at the five sites of the main vessel (MV) and three sites of the side branch (SB) were performed. Impact of the bifurcation angle on stent expansion at the carina was also evaluated. RESULTS: Stent expansion in the SB ostium was significantly less in the classical crush group ((53.81 ± 13.51)%) than in the DK crush group ((72.27 ± 11.46)%) (P = 0.04). For the MV, the incidence of incomplete crush was 41.9% in the DK group and 70.0% in the classical group (P = 0.03). The percentage of neointimal area at the ostium had a tendency to be smaller in the DK group compared with the classical group ((16.4 ± 19.2)% vs. (22.8 ± 27.1)%, P = 0.06). The optimal threshold of post-procedural minimum stent area (MSA) to predict follow-up minimum lumen area (MLA) < 4.0 mm(2) at the SB ostium was 4.55 mm(2), yielding an area under the curve of 0.80 (95% confidence interval: 0.61 to 0.92). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the DK crush technique is associated with improved quality of the final kissing balloon inflation (FKBI) and had smaller optimal cutoff value of post-procedural MSA at the SB ostium.

Real polymer-free sirolimus- and probucol-eluting versus biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents for obstructive coronary artery disease: DKPLUS-Wave 1, a multicenter, randomized, prospective trial.

BACKGROUND: Polymer-free sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stents (Real Dual drug-eluting stents [DES]) is as effective as first-generation DES in treating coronary artery stenosis. It is unknown whether sirolimus-eluting stents containing biodegradable polymer (Excel) would be superior to real Dual DES. This study aimed to investigate the difference in target vessel revascularization (TVR) at 12 months in patients with coronary artery disease treated by the implantation of Dual DES or Excel stents. METHODS: Three hundred and forty-six patients with de novo coronary artery disease were recruited from six centers in China and randomly assigned to either the Dual DES or the Excel group. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of TVR at 12 months. The secondary endpoint was angiographic in-stent restenosis and late lumen loss at 13 months. Stent thrombosis (ST) served as the safety endpoint. Dual anti-platelet therapy (DAPT) was prescribed for 6 months. RESULTS: Clinical follow-up for 12 months and repeat angiography at 13 months were available in 100% and >90% of patients, respectively. The ISR and in-stent late loss were significantly different between the Excel (3.1%, 0.09 ± 0.11 mm) and the Dual DES (19.5%, 0.36 ± 0.32 mm, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively) groups. The TVR (3.5%) in the Excel group was significantly less than in the Dual DES group (13.9%, P = 0.001). The ST rate beyond 12 months in the Dual DES group was 0%, and this was 1.2% in the Excel group (P = 0.499). CONCLUSIONS: The Excel stent was statistically superior to the Dual DES in terms of restenosis, late loss, and TVR for long lesions.

Crush stenting with drug-eluting stents: relevance of coronary bifurcation lesion location on angiographic and clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Data on the relevance of the location of coronary bifurcation lesions treated by crush stenting with outcomes were limited. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that the location of the bifurcation lesion correlated with clinical outcome. METHOD: A total of 212 patients with 230 true bifurcation lesions treated by crush stenting with drug-eluting stents (DES) were assessed prospectively. Surveillance quantitative angiographies were indexed at 8 months after procedure. Primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization (TLR). RESULTS: Patients in the distal right coronary artery (RCAd) group were characterized by higher proportions of prior myocardial infarction and very tortuous lesions. However, lesions in the RCAd group, compared to those of other groups, had the lowest late lumen loss, with resultant lowest incidence of MACE at a mean follow-up of 268±35 days. Independent predictors of MACE included unsatisfied kissing (KUS; hazard ratio [HR]: 12.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.01-12.10, P = .001) and non-RCA lesion (HR: 20.69, 95% CI: 5.05-22.38, P = .001), while those of TLR were KUS (HR: 10.21, 95% CI: 0.01-0.34, P = .002), bifurcation angle (HR: 4.728, 95% CI: 2.541-4.109, P = .001), and non-RCA lesion (HR: 16.05, 95%CI: 1.01-4.83, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Classical crush stenting with drug-eluting stents is associated with significantly better outcomes in RCAd. Quality of kissing inflation is mandatory to improve outcome.

Contradictory shear stress distribution prevents restenosis after provisional stenting for bifurcation lesions.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial shear stress is one of the local hemodynamic factors suspected in the development of coronary atherosclerosis in bifurcation lesions. In patients with provisional stenting, the endothelial shear stress (SS) distribution is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the magnitude and distribution of the SS of coronary bifurcation lesions stenting by the provisional approach. METHODS: Ten consecutive patients were included in this study. Quantitative coronary analysis, flow study, and three-dimensional computational analysis with the aid of the commercial software CD STAR-CCM+ were done before and after the provisional stenting procedure and also 8 months later. RESULTS: Clinical and angiographic follow-up were available in all patients. No patient had a side branch (SB) stent. At the 8-month follow-up, no major adverse cardiac event (MACE) occurred. There was also no clinical and angiographic restenosis. Before PCI, the distal main vessel (MV)-lateral, and the SB-lateral subsegments had relative nonsignificant lower SS value (4.08 +/- 2.78 Pa and 4.35 +/- 5.04 Pa, respectively) when compared to other segments. After 8-month follow-up, sustained decreased SS value was shown in the distal MV-lateral segment (4.08 +/- 2.78-1.68 +/- 1.65 Pa), when compared with significantly increased SS value in the SB-lateral subsegment 4.35 +/- 5.04-16.50 +/- 40.45 Pa). The explanation is that after stenting in the MV, the flow was redistributed immediately after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and reversed back to its original 8 months later. However, the growth of the fibrous tissue causing in-stent restenosis (ISR) is prohibited by sirolimus on the stent struts. In contrast, in a branch opened up by plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA), the flow did not change much, the flow could even be worse because it is shifted to the MV after the cross-sectional area of the MV improved by stenting. However, thanks to POBA, there is increased fibrous tissue formation, enough to increase the SS and prevent further accumulation of cell and cholesterol needed for more restenosis. CONCLUSION: In the provisional approach, low endothelial SS correlated with no restenosis for patients who underwent stenting of the MV, while a contradictory combination of high SS and no restenosis was seen in the SB after only POBA. The mechanism of prevention of restenosis in the SB is by increasing the SS while in the MV, the mechanism of prevention of ISR is secondary to sirolimus on the stents struts.

Distribution and magnitude of shear stress after coronary bifurcation lesions stenting with the classical crush technique: a new predictor for in-stent restenosis.

BACKGROUND: Wall shear stress (SS) plays an important role in the initiation and proliferation of coronary atherosclerosis, especially for bifurcations. Stenting in the coronary artery will cause many different changes in velocity, flow, cross-sectional area, and especially the wall SS. However, it is still unknown how much wall SS distribution varies with stenting in coronary bifurcation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the magnitude and distribution of wall SS after the classical crush stenting for bifurcation lesions. METHODS: Eleven patients with true coronary bifurcation stenting by the classical crush technique were included. We studied the difference of wall SS between restenosis and nonrestenosis groups in these patients. The differences in SS between preprocedure and postprocedure, as well as between immediately postprocedure and after an 8-month follow-up, were also analyzed. Diameter stenosis or minimal lumen diameter were measured by quantitative coronary analysis. The commercial CD STAR-CCM+ was used to calculate the SS. RESULTS: At baseline, the SS in all the segments of all patients was high. The baseline SS of the restenosis group was 50% lower than the nonrestenosis group. Immediately after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the SS in both areas decreased; however, the SS of the nonrestenosis group decreased to its lowest level possible while the SS of the restenosis group decreased moderately. Eight months later, the SS of all the segments of the nonrestenosis group remained persistently low at the same level of right after PCI. In contrary, the SS in the restenosis group returned to near its baseline level. CONCLUSION: From our study, after a 2-stent crush technique using drug-eluting stents (DES), the degree of SS reduction appears to predict in-stent restenosis (ISR). A SS decrease to its lowest level and remaining homogenously low is a prime condition to prevent ISR. A baseline low SS, which decreases minimally after PCI and recovers to around its baseline level, appears to be the setting for restenosis. These conditions can be evaluated as predictors of lesions that may need surveillance angiography and proper IVUS evaluation to prevent future in-stent restenosis.

Different edge effects of paclitaxel- and sirolimus-eluting stents on proximal and distal edges in patients with unstable angina: serial intravascular ultrasound analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether edge segments have different responses to paclitaxel eluting stent (PES) and sirolimus eluting stent (SES) implantation in patients with unstable angina. This study aimed to compare the different vascular edge responses in patients with unstable angina and single de novo coronary lesion treated with SES and PES. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-five patients with unstable angina and single de novo lesion were randomly assigned to PES and SES groups. Serial volumetric intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images were taken immediately after stenting and at an eight-month follow-up. Five-mm edge segments proximal and distal to the stents were analyzed. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. At proximal-edge segment, the vessel area decreased and the plaque area increased significantly in the PES group as compared with the SES group. A significant net loss of lumen area was found in the PES group (from (11.10 +/- 3.12) mm(2) at baseline to (9.92 +/- 3.59) mm(2) at the follow-up, P < 0.001). At the distal-edge segment, the net loss of lumen area in the PES group (from (7.71 +/- 2.81) mm(2) at baseline to (6.66 +/- 2.29) mm(2) at the follow-up, P < 0.001) was attributed to a significant increase of plaque area. Proximal-edge stenosis was commonly seen in the PES group (20.0%) as compared with the SES group (5.0%, P = 0.001). This correlated with the higher incidence of target lesion revascularization in the PES group (P = 0.03). Subsegmentally, the smallest Delta lumen area was located at 2 mm proximally in both groups, at 0 mm distally in the PES group, and at 1 mm distally in the SES group. CONCLUSIONS: The two groups demonstrated negative remodeling of edge segments. PES was less effective than SES in inhibiting the growth of plaque within the first 1-mm length proximal to the stent.

Effect of coronary bifurcation angle on clinical outcomes in Chinese patients treated with crush stenting: a subgroup analysis from DKCRUSH-1 bifurcation study.

BACKGROUND: Bifurcation angles may have an impact on the clinical outcomes of crush stenting. We sought to compare high (> or = 60 degrees ) with low (< 60 degrees ) bifurcation angle in patients who underwent either classical or double kissing (DK) crush stenting for bifurcation lesions from the DKCRUSH-1 data base. METHODS: There were 212 patients with 220 lesions, some with low-angle (n = 138) and some with high-angle (n = 74). Angiography was indexed at 8-month after procedure. Primary endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), defined as cardiac death, myocardial infarction and target lesion revascularization (TLR). Secondary endpoint included late lumen loss, the rate of restenosis, and final kissing balloon inflation (FKBI). RESULTS: At 8 months, clinical follow-up was 100%; angiographic follow-up was 75% in the low-angle group and 83.3% in the high-angle group. There were no significant differences in the FKBI between the high-angle group (91.43%) and the low-angle group (82.39%). In the high angle group, there was a significant difference in contrast volume used (P = 0.005) but no significant difference in acute gain, minimum lumen diameter (MLD), late loss and diameter stenosis in the pre-bifurcation segment, post-bifurcation segment or side branch. When lesions were assigned into with-(n = 133) and without-FKBI (n = 42), significant side-branch late loss was seen in the group without-FKBI ((0.65 +/- 0.49) mm vs (0.47 +/- 0.62) mm, P = 0.02), with a resultant greater restenosis rate (37.68% vs 18.32%, P = 0.001). No difference was detected in the MACE free survival rate between the high and low angle groups (82.39% vs 82.36%, P = 0.84). The rate of stent thrombosis tended to be higher in the lower-angle group although there was no significant difference (P = 0.38). The TLR free survival rate was 87.2% in the with-FKBI group vs 73.5% in the without-FKBI group (P = 0.001). Cox regression analysis showed that the independent predictors for target vessel revascularization were the side branch stent MLD post stenting (hazard ratios (HR) 1.028, 95% CI 2.357 - 16.233, P = 0.002), lack of FKBI (HR 4.910, 95% CI 4.706 - 8.459, P = 0.001) and unsatisfactory kissing (HR 3.120, 95% CI 2.975 - 5.431, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Bifurcation angles do not influence the clinical outcome of crush stenting. Successful final kissing balloon inflation, regardless of bifurcation angles, can predict TLR.

[Comparison of DK crush with classical crush technique with drug-eluting stents for the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions from DKCRUSH-1 study].

OBJECTIVE: To determine independent factors correlated with clinical effects of DK crush and classical crush technique with drug-eluting stents on bifurcation lesions. METHODS: 311 patients with bifurcation lesions were randomized to classical (C, n = 156) or double kissing (DK) crush (n = 155) stent implantation group. The primary endpoints included major adverse cardiac events (MACE). RESULTS: Final kissing balloon inflation (FKBI) success rate was 76% in C and 100% in DK groups (P < 0.001). DK crush procedure was characterized by lower unsatisfactory FKBI rate (27.6% vs.6.3%, P < 0.01). Clinical follow-up was available in 100% and angiographic follow-up in 82% patients. The overall restenosis rate was 32.3% in C and 20.3% in DK groups (P = 0.01), respectively. Cumulative 8-month MACE was 35.9% in without-FKBI and 19.7% in with-FKBI sub-groups, and 11.4% in DK group (P = 0.02). The incidence of stent thrombosis was 3.2% in C group (5.1% without vs. 1.7% with FKBI) and 1.3% in DK group (P > 0.05). The predictive factors of MACE included minimal side branch stent lumen diameter and lack of DK crush technique. CONCLUSION: DK crush technique is an alternative of double stenting techniques in terms of improvement of restenosis and clinical outcomes.

Cardiac electromechanical mapping in analyzing the mechanism of left ventricular remodeling immediately after percutaneous transluminal septal ablation in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Effect of percutaneous transluminal septal ablation (PTSA) with ethanol injection on electromechanical remodeling of left ventricule still remains unknown. This study was conducted to assess the potential significance of cardiac electromechanical mapping (CEMM) in analyzing the left ventricular remodeling before and immediately after percutaneous transseptal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). METHODS: Eight patients with drug-refractory HOCM and 6 patients with hypertrophic cardiopathy (HM) without increased left ventricular outtract gradien (LVOTG) were enrolled into the present study. CEMM was undergone in patients with HOCM before and immediately after PTSA procedure, and in patients with HM. RESULTS: PTSA was successful in all patients with HOCM, LVOTG significantly decreased from (62.87 +/- 21.16) mmHg to (12.73 +/- 3.05) mmHg immediately after ablation procedure. Value of UVP in septal-base segment in HM group was higher than that in HOCM group [(22.79 +/- 2.34) mV vs (18.54 +/- 1.76) mV]. In patients with HOCM, lateral-middle and -base segments had lowest value of UVP [(15.93 +/- 1.11) mV and (15.83 +/- 1.07) mV] before PTSA. Value of UVP at posterior-middle segment decreased from (23.58 +/- 2.21) mV pre-PTSA to (18.89 +/- 1.91) mV post-procedure, PTSA led to significant increase of UVP at lateral-middle segment. Septal region in patients with HM and septal-middle, septal-base, posterior-base segments in HOCM had lower value of local linear shortening (LLS) among all patients in both HOCM and HM groups. PTSA resulted in significant reduction of LLS in anterior region and at septal-apex segment. Anterior-base and septal-middle segments in patients with HM had lowest value of local active time (LAT), and significantly differentiated from that in patients with HOCM [(-8.57 +/- 0.68) ms vs (-18.61 +/- 1.02) ms, (-6.75 +/- 0.37)ms vs (-21.90 +/- 0.96) ms, respectively]. LAT at septal-middle and -base segments in patients with HOCM was decreased significantly [(-21.90 +/- 0.96) ms vs (-13.80 +/- 1.04) ms, P < 0.002; and (-15.20 +/- 1.06) ms vs (-6.33 +/- 0.52) ms, respectively] immediately after PTSA. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior-lateral and anterior region probably played important roles in electromechanical remodeling. Significant electromechanical remodeling disassociation (uncoupling) was detected in most left ventricular regions, which would be important in differentiating of HOCM from HM, and in predicting the prognosis in patients with HOCM after PTSA procedure.

Improvement of cardiac function after transplantation of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The infarct size determines the long-term prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). There is a growing interest in repairing scar area by transplanting bone marrow stem cells. However, effectiveness of intracoronary injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in patients with AMI still remains unclear. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients with AMI after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were randomly divided into intracoronary injection of BMSCs (n = 34) and saline (control group, n = 35) groups. Serial single positron emission computer tomography (SPECT), cardiac echo and cardiac electromechanical mapping were done at the designed time intervals until six months after transplantation of BMSCs or injection of saline. RESULTS: The proportion with functional defect decreased significantly in the BMSCs patients after three months [(13 +/- 5)%] compared with that pre-transplantation [(32 +/- 11)%] and the control group [(28 +/- 10)%] at three month follow-up (P < 0.05, respectively). Wall movement velocity over the infracted region increased significantly in the BMSCs group [(4.2 +/- 2.5) cm/s vs (2.2 +/- 1.3) cm/s, P < 0.05], but not in the control group [(2.2 +/- 1.5) cm/s vs (2.7 +/- 1.7) cm/s, P > 0.05]. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) three months after transplantation in BMSCs group increased significantly compared with that pre-implantation and with that of the control group at three months post-injection [(67 +/- 11)% vs (49 +/- 9)% and (53 +/- 8)%, P < 0.05 respectively]. SPECT scan results showed that perfusion defect was improved significantly in BMSCs group at three-month follow-up compared with that in the control group [(134 +/- 66) cm(2) vs (185 +/- 87) cm(2), P < 0.01]. At the same time, left ventricular end-diastolic volume [(136 +/- 31) ml vs (162 +/- 27) ml, P < 0.05] and end-systolic volume [(63 +/- 20) ml vs (88 +/- 19) ml, P < 0.05] decreased synchronously. The ratio of end-systolic pressure to end-systolic volume [Psyst/ESV, (2.84 +/- 1.30) mmHg/ml vs (1.72 +/- 1.23) mmHg/ml, P < 0.05] increased significantly. Cardiac electromechanical mapping demonstrated significant improvement at three months after implantation of BMSCs compared with that pre-injection in both cardiac mechanical capability as left line local shorting [LLS, (11.29 +/- 1.64)% vs (7.32 +/- 1.86)%, P < 0.05] and electrical property as left ventricular endocardial unipolar voltage [UV, (10.38 +/- 1.12) mV vs (7.61 +/- 1.09) mV, P < 0.01]; perfusion defect decreased from (36.2 +/- 6.2)% to (20.3 +/- 5.31)% (P < 0.01). Twenty-four-hour electrocardiographic monitoring demonstrated no arrhythmias occurred at three-months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The transplantation of BMSCs might improve the cardiac function and it is safe and feasible with no deaths or malignant arrhythmias.

Effect on left ventricular function of intracoronary transplantation of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Sixty-nine patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention within 12 hours after onset of acute myocardial infarction were randomized to receive intracoronary injection of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell or standard saline. Several imagining techniques demonstrated that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells significantly improved left ventricular function.