Stem Cell Implantation in Patients Undergoing CABG

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in the U.S. in both men and women and the aging of the population and rising prevalence of diabetes ensure that the number of persons with CHD will continue to increase over the next several decades. Two major factors contributing to adverse outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery are failure to achieve complete revascularization, and residual impairment in left ventricular function. In the present study, the investigators propose a Phase I randomized double-blind study designed to assess the feasibility and safety of autologous CD133+ cells in patients referred for CABG who have significant regions of viable but non-revascularizable myocardium and/or significant LV systolic dysfunction not likely to improve with conventional coronary revascularization. Autologous CD133+ bone marrow progenitor cells will be harvested from study subjects at the time of CABG, processed and then injected into patients' myocardium prior to completion of CABG surgery. The test material consists of autologous CD133+ cells. Since intra-myocardial injections per se could stimulate neovascularization, control group patients will receive a placebo injection of carrier solution. Control subjects will thus have an identical procedure to those randomized to autologous CD133+ cell injections. The three goals of the study are as follows: 1. To demonstrate the feasibility and safety of intra-operative, intra-myocardial injection of autologous CD133+ bone marrow cells in adults with chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy associated with impair left ventricular function. 2. To assess the effect of autologous CD133+ cell injections on regional myocardial perfusion and function by comparing paired magnet resonance scans obtained prior to CABG and again 6 months post CABG. 3. To assess the effect of autologous CD133+ stem cell injections on symptom severity and quality of life at 6 months after CABG surgery.