Management of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy with intramyocardial stem cell transplantation in children: a retrospective study of 7 patients

This retrospective report presents findings on 7 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy who underwent transplantation of autologous bone marrow derived mononuclear cells (BMSC) after failed routine conservative treatment, and were on a waiting list for cardiac transplantation. In two out of seven patients, we performed intramyocardial delivery of BMSC twice, 22 and 24 months respectively after the first transplant. All patients received anti-congestive therapy by diuretics, ACE inhibitors, carvedilol, digitalis and aspirin. We discuss potential disadvantages of intracoronary injections of autologous bone marrow stem cells. We believe that our BMSC transplantation method as opposed to intravascular input is the method of choice, particularly in children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy because it is safe, gentle and is not associated with risks for coronary circulation.