Stem Cell Therapy in Patients With Severe Heart Failure & Undergoing Left Ventricular Assist Device Placement

AsseSsment of Efficacy, Safety and Utility of intRa myocardiAl iNjection of Stem Cells in Patients With End Stage Heart Failure Undergoing LVAD Implantation (ASSURANCE)

The purpose of this study is to determine if the delivery of cells just after implantation of left ventricular assist device will help to improve the pumping function of your heart and minimize heart enlargement in the future.

The cells will be obtained by aspiration or withdrawal of fluid from your bone marrow from your pelvic bone using a needle and syringe. This would not take place until 24-48 hours prior to your planned left ventricular assist device implantation. During the surgery the surgeons will inject the prepared cells that were taken from your bone marrow and inject it into your heart muscle.

This study will test whether receiving your own bone marrow cells directly into your heart will help your heart to recover function after placement of a left ventricular assist device.

Patients who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria and agree to participate will be enrolled in the study. All the patients will have a baseline EKG, Laboratory tests, 2D ECHO and PET/CT imaging.Day prior to the LVAD implantation all the patients will undergo bone marrow aspiration. Bone marrow aspirate will be processed according to the protocols used by that facility. After processing, the bone marrow mononuclear cells will then be suspended in 2ml of 5% human serum albumin and labeled per the standard protocol of the facility.

Patients will be randomized in a 2:1 fashion either to receive cells or 5% serum albumin. Under general anesthesia using the standard techniques the HeartMate II (LVAD) will be placed. The LVAD will be inserted into the LV apex (with removal of 2 x 2 cm ventricular core). The tissue core will be processed for RNA isolation and morphological analysis. CV surgeon will inject either the cells or placebo directly in to the myocardium in the LAD territory. Ten separate injections will be delivered into the LV free wall (20 X 106 cells / 400 micro lit). The injection sites will be marked with Titanium surgical clips. Subjects will be managed at all times by the current standard of care in this hospital for the patients with an LVAD. Routine postoperative care procedures will be followed with close follow-up for dysrrhythmias or signs of infection.

Tissue sample from the core of the left ventricular apex removed at the time of implantation of LVAD will be compared with the myocardium (marked with the surgical clips) from the explanted heart at the time of transplantation. These samples from the experimental subjects and control hearts will be examined for morphology for interstitial fibrosis, hypertrophy, myocyte diameter and myocytolysis as well as for gene expression using RT-PCR.

Research-related follow-up will take place at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 and months 6, 12, 18 and 24 after LVAD implant at the Clinical Trial Center of the Cardiology Division at the University of Minnesota. Patients will be examined by the PI or Sub-I at each visit. Follow up data to be obtained at these clinic visits is outlined in the protocol

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Severe LV dysfunction with EF < 30% with cardiomyopathy ( Ischemic and non ischemic)
2. NYHA Class III and IV
3. No revascularization options available
4. LVAD placement as destination therapy or bridging to transplantation
5. Age between 18-80 years

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of recent malignancy( less than one year) .

2. Unstable hemodynamics at the time of the implant; defined by need for increasing vasopressor medication in the last 24 hours or blood pressure < 70 systolic, or cardiac index < 1.3 liters/min.

3. Coronary anatomy suitable for revascularization at the time of surgery

4. Pregnancy confirmed by positive urine test

5. Lactating mothers

6. Renal failure with serum creatinine >3.0, or are receiving chronic dialysis support.

7. Inability to undergo PET/CT imaging.

8. A history of any significant recent bleeding disorder or coagulation profile of concern for acute bleeding, such as INR >2.0 (not on anticoagulant), platelet count <100,000, or hemoglobin <8.0 gr/dl.

9. Patients with known infectious disease (Hepatitis, HIV) etc.

10. Patients with three times or more of the upper limits of normal enzymes.

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