| Miniswine underwent procedures to evaluate treating chronic ischemia with the implantation of autologous satellite cells and laser transmyocardial revascularization (TMR). The objective was to combine two therapies to restore cardiac function. This experiment involved three surgical procedures: (1) placing a constrictor on the coronary artery; (2) producing channels and implanting cells; (3) obtaining samples. The swine were divided into groups: Group 1, Ischemia; Group 2, Ischemia + Laser TMR; Group 3, Ischemia + Laser TMR + Cells; Group 4, Ischemia + Cells. Sonomicrometry and Millar pressure transducers were used to determine contractility, left ventricular pressure, and pressure-volume loops. There were no significant differences (p<0.05) among the hemodynamic data except for Group 4, which produced significantly lower output values. Morphological evaluation revealed a significantly reduced scar area in Group 3. Although there was a significant difference in scar area, the phenomena behind this improvement as compared to the unimproved hemodynamic function is not understood. |
