Presence of a mechanical aortic valve or heart constrictive device.
Documented presence of aortic stenosis (aortic stenosis graded as ≥+2 equivalent to an orifice area of 1.5cm2 or less).
Documented presence of moderate to severe aortic insufficiency (echocardio- graphic assessment of aortic insufficiency graded as ≥+2).
Evidence of a life-threatening arrhythmia (nonsustained ventricular tachycardia ≥20 consecutive beats or complete heart block) or QTc interval \>550 ms on screening ECG. In addition; patients with sustained or a short run of ventricular tachycardia on ECG or 48 hour Ambulatory ECG during the screening period will be removed from the protocol.
Documented unstable angina.
AICD firing in the past 60 days prior to the procedure.
Be eligible for or require coronary artery revascularization.
Have a hematologic abnormality as evidenced by hematocrit \< 25%, white blood cell \< 2,500/ul or platelet values \< 100,000/ul without another explanation.
Have liver dysfunction, as evidenced by enzymes (ALT and AST) greater than three times the ULN.
Have a coagulopathy condition = (INR \> 1.3) not due to a reversible cause.
Known, serious radiographic contrast allergy.
Known allergies to penicillin or streptomycin.
Organ transplant recipient.
Clinical history of malignancy within 5 years (i.e., patients with prior malignancy must be disease free for 5 years), except curatively-treated basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or cervical carcinoma.
Non-cardiac condition that limits lifespan to \< 1 year.
On chronic therapy with immunosuppressant medication.
Serum positive for HIV, hepatitis BsAg, or hepatitis C.
Female patient who is pregnant, nursing, or of child-bearing potential and not using effective birth control.
