Intrapericardial delivery of visible microcapsules containing stem cells using xfm (x-ray fused with magnetic resonance imaging)

Introduction Previously, we have demonstrated a technique to enhance survival of transplanted cells using XFM-visible microcapsules. However, theoretical concerns exist about the induction of arrhythmias if microcapsules are delivered to the heart by transendocardial injection. Delivery of these microcapsules to the pericardial space may provide an alternative approach with less potential for arrhythmia. Pericardial approaches to the epicardium have been used for the delivery of cardioactive drugs, cardiac ablation techniques and the implantation of cardiac pacemakers. However, there are no reports involving the utilization of the pericardial space for stem cell delivery.