Myocardial infarction is the most acute and severe presentation of coronary disease. It has several causes. There is a rupture of the capsule that covers the ateroma plaque inside the artery. When the ruptured artery wall and plaque come into contact with circulation, a clot is formed. This clot closes completely the artery. This will stop the blood flow into the cardiac muscle; if it is not restored cells will begin to die. This will generate a cardiac failure that could cause the patient’s death.

Semioclusive clot inside a coronary artery

There are two ways to reestablish blood flow, one is the infusion of blood diluting agents and the other is angioplasty (previously described). These therapies can save a large amount of cardiac tissue and the patient. However, the heart begins a process called ventricular remodeling. The heart’s cavities will enlarge and cardiac insufficiency will appear, that means that the pump is not capable of delivering the necessary blood amount, that the body tissues require.

1. Occluded artery 2. Blood flow reestablished by angioplasty

Cardiac insufficiency is basically the abnormal contraction and relaxation of the heart’s muscle. This creates an insufficient blood volume to deliver to the rest of the organism generating fatigue and limiting the patient’s quality of life. It also increases the possibilities of cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. Various scientific reports state that stem cell therapy, in addition to regular medications; in patients with recent myocardial infarction, reduces the possibility of cardiac insufficiency in the future, because they stop the heart’s deterioration.

Proceso de remodelación ventricular después de un infarto

This stem cell implant is usually performed by catheterism. However in that additionally need a bypass graft surgery, the surgeon can also implant the stem cells into the cardiac muscle directly. The method of implantation should be defined according to the patient’s needs and prior experience.