Episode 27 Cardiac Stem Cells
Episode 27 Cardiac Stem Cells This podcast features an interview by Bronwyn Cleary with Dr Magdelena Kostkiewicz at the EANM. The Role of Nuclear Imaging in Evaluating Myocardial Homing of Progenitor Cells and the Impact of Stem Cell Therapy on Myocardial Perfusion and Function. Background: In patients after myocardial infarction, stem cell therapy has already shown some clinical promise; however, many fundamental questions remain unanswered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the myocardial viability prior to stem cell transfer and its long-term effect on myocardial perfusion and function. In addition, early myocardial retention of tracer-labeled cells was evaluated. Material and methods: 46 patients with a large anterior myocardial infarction (peak CK 2399-11213U/L, peak Tn I 68-249 ng/dL) were included in the study 6-9 days after primary PCI. The control group involved 12 patients not subjected to cell therapy (1:4 assignment). To evaluate myocardial perfusion and viability, regi