Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 30: Patients who receive stem cell therapy soon after a heart attack are significantly less likely to develop heart failure, according to new research published in the BMJ.
Heart failure — a condition in which the heart struggles to pump blood effectively — often develops after a heart attack due to severe muscle damage. It can occur suddenly or become a chronic issue, leading to symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue, leg swelling, and irregular heartbeat.
The international clinical trial, led by researchers from Queen Mary University of London and conducted in collaboration with Iranian hospitals, found that delivering stem cells directly into coronary arteries shortly after a heart attack could substantially lower the risk of subsequent heart failure and related complications.
“The results suggest that this technique may serve as a valuable add-on treatment after a heart attack to prevent heart failure and reduce future adverse events,” the researchers noted.
The study involved 396 patients aged between 57 and 59 years who had suffered their first heart attack and had no prior cardiac history. Among them, 136 patients received an intracoronary infusion of Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells within 3 to 7 days of the attack, along with standard medical care. The remaining 260 patients received standard treatment alone.
Results over a three-year follow-up period revealed that patients receiving stem cell therapy had significantly lower rates of:
• Heart failure (2.77 vs. 6.48 per 100 person-years)
• Hospital readmission for heart failure (0.92 vs. 4.20 per 100 person-years)
• Combined risk of cardiovascular death or readmission for heart attack or heart failure (2.8 vs. 7.16 per 100 person-years)
While the therapy did not significantly reduce deaths or repeat heart attacks, patients in the treatment group showed greater improvement in heart function within six months compared to those receiving standard care.
Researchers cautioned that although the findings are promising, larger and more diverse clinical trials are needed to confirm the safety and long-term benefits of this approach.
If validated, intracoronary stem cell infusion could emerge as a valuable adjunct therapy to improve recovery and prevent heart failure in patients after a heart attack.