Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Intramyocardial Stem Cell Therapy in Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Brief Summary: BACKGROUND. In patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, intracoronary stem cell transplantation has been shown to improve exercise capacity, reduce ventricular remodelling and improve 1-year survival. Pre-clinical data demonstrate that stem cell effects on the diseased heart can be further enhanced by direct intramyocardial delivery route.

AIMS.

1. To evaluate safety and efficacy of intramyocardial stem cell therapy in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.
2. To directly compare clinical effects of intracoronary and intramyocardial stem cell delivery.

METHODS. Of 60 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, 30 will be randomized to intramyocardial transplantation of CD34+ cells (Study Group), and 30 will receive intracoronary stem cell therapy (Control Group). In both groups peripheral blood stem cells will be mobilised by daily subcutaneous injections of filgrastim; CD34+ cells will be collected via apheresis and labelled with technetium. In the Study Group electromechanical mapping will be used to identify viable myocardium and intramyocardial injections in the target areas will be performed with NOGA catheter. In the Control group patients will undergo myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and CD34+ cells will be injected intracoronary in the artery supplying segments of reduced viability. Patients will be followed for 1 year. Primary endpoints will include changes in left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular dimensions (measured by echocardiography). Secondary endpoints will include changes in exercise capacity and changes in NT-proBNP values.

HYPOTHESES.

1. At 1 year, intramyocardial stem cell therapy will be associated with improved left ventricular ejection fraction, reduced left ventricular dimensions, improved exercise capacity and reduced levels of NT-proBNP.
2. Beneficial effects of intramyocardial stem cell therapy will be superior to those observed with intracoronary stem cell delivery.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* Established dg. of dilated CMP (defined according to ESC position statement - absence of any stenotic lesions on coronary angiography, no congenital heart disease, no primary valve disease on echocardiography, and no history of hypertension or alcohol abuse1)
* left ventricular ejection fraction \< 30%
* NYHA functional class III or IV for at least 3 months before referral
* Optimal medical management for at least 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

* Left ventricular aneurysm or thrombus
* Hematologic disease
* Multiorgan failure
* Active malignancy
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Coronary artery disease with indication for CABG surgery
* Reduced global left ventricular ejection fraction by transthoracic echocardiography at rest (EF ≤ 35%)
* Presence of a localized akinetic/hypokinetic/hypoperfused area of LV myocardium for defining the target area
* Informed consent of the patient
* Age \> 18 years

Exclusion Criteria:

* Emergency operation
* Presence of aortic valve disease requiring concomitant valve replacement
* Debilitating other disease: Degenerative neurologic disorders, psychiatric disease, terminal renal failure requiring dialysis, previous organ transplantation, active malignant neoplasia
* History of ventricular arrhythmia (≥ Lown III)
* Impaired ability to comprehend the study information
* Absent informed written consent
* Apparent infection (CRP ≥ 20 mg/L, fever (≥38.5° C)
* Acute myocardial infarction
* contraindication for MRI assessment
* Pregnancy or lactation
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* Symptomatic patients with a diagnosis of heart failure secondary to ischaemic heart disease who are on optimal heart failure treatment and no further treatment options available
* Patient has been considered for an implantable defibrillator in keeping with NICE guidelines

Exclusion Criteria:

* Recent acute coronary syndrome as judged by a rise of Troponin above normal values in the last 6 months
* The presence of cardiogenic shock
* The presence of acute left and/or right-sided pump failure as judged by the presence of pulmonary oedema and/or new peripheral oedema
* Known severe pre-existent left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction \< 10% prior to randomisation)
* Congenital cardiac disease
* Cardiomyopathy secondary to a reversible cause e.g. thyroid disease, alcohol abuse, hypophosphataemia, hypocalcaemia, cocaine abuse, selenium toxicity \& chronic uncontrolled tachycardia
* Cardiomyopathy in association with a neuromuscular disorder e.g. Duchenne's progressive muscular dystrophy
* Contra-indication for bone marrow aspiration
* Known active infection
* Known infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), or hepatitis C virus (HCV) syphilis or HTLV
* Lifestyle with high risk for infection with HIV, HBV or HCV syphilis or HTLV
* Serum creatinine \>200 umol/L
* Chronic inflammatory disease
* Serious known concomitant disease with a life expectancy of less than one year
* Follow-up impossible (no fixed abode, etc)
* Previous participation in this study
* Female subjects of childbearing potential
* Atrial fibrillation
* Patients who have responded to the implantation of a biventricular pacemaker
* Weight \>140kg
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of chronic ischemic left ventricular dysfunction secondary to MI.
* Be a candidate for cardiac catheterization.
* Been treated with appropriate maximal medical therapy for heart failure or post-infarction left ventricular dysfunction.
* Ejection fraction less than or equal to 50%.
* Able to perform a metabolic stress test.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Baseline glomerular filtration rate \< 45 ml/min/1.73m2.
* 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 (echocardiographic 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.
* Contra-indication to performance of a magnetic resonance imaging scan.
* 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 non-viremic hepatitis C.
* Female patient who is pregnant, nursing, or of child-bearing potential and not using effective birth control.

Answer: A