Regenerative cardiac synchronization: a translational study

Heart attacks damage heart walls, compromising the pumping function of the heart. Dr. Yamada is investigating the use of patient’s own stem cells as a new therapy to help reestablish and maintain a synchronized pumping motion in the infarcted heart.

Year One Progress Report:

Avoiding development of heart failure after myocardial infarction (also known as a heart attack) is a main objective of the Minnesota Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Plan. In this 2-year project funded by Regenerative Medicine Minnesota, Dr. Yamada andphysician-scientists at Mayo Clinic are developing a regenerative therapy to restore cardiac function in individuals who have suffered a heart attack. Specifically, this study delivers patient’s own stem cells via a small catheter to correct disorganized wall motion within heart (named “cardiac dyssynchrony”). In Year 1 studies, stem cells were safely delivered without complications and adverse effects. At this stage of the experiments, stem cell therapy appears to prevent cardiac pumping failure after infarction. Year 2 studies will confirm efficacy using advanced cardiac imaging. Successful outcomes will provide the foundation for future regenerative medicine clinical practice in heart failure after heart attack. In addition, students from high schools, universities, and medical schools across Minnesota are trained by Dr. Yamada and colleagues, as part of the next generation of regenerative medicine professionals in the state of Minnesota.

Final Report:

Heart failure following a heart attack is a leading cause of mortality in the United States, including 18% of all deaths in Minnesota. In this 2-year project funded by Regenerative Medicine Minnesota, Dr. Yamada and the dedicated team of physicians-scientists at Mayo Clinic tested a new regenerative therapy to restore cardiac muscle function in a model of human heart attack. Patient derived stem cells--pre-instructed to achieve heart repair--were delivered, via a small catheter, into the diseased heart. In Year 1 studies, stem cells were safely delivered without complications and adverse effects. Year 2 experiments demonstrated that stem cell therapy minimizes signs of cardiac dyssynchrony (namely, disorganized conduction and wall motion) and associated heart failure, providing the foundation for future clinical assessment. In addition, students from high schools, universities, and medical schools across Minnesota were/are trained by Dr. Yamada and colleagues, as part of the next generation regenerative medicine professionals in the state of Minnesota. Thus, this project contributed to health care research and education, responding and advancing the vision of Minnesota Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention, and implementing the mission of Regenerative Medicine Minnesota.