a measure of heart efficiency -- on average, of 5.5 percent. Those getting placebo saw a 3 percent improvement. Researchers said the compelling results stood in contrast to "widely mixed results" seen in prior smaller studies of the cell therapy. They were further encouraged by other results, including less heart enlargement seen in the bone marrow cell patients, and improved blood flow in the artery where the attack occurred, indicating the possibility that new blood vessels may have been created to nourish the damaged area. Heart enlargement, which often occurs after an attack as the heart tries compensate for reduced pumping ability, is a hallmark of a failing heart. The reduction in heart enlargement seen in the bone marrow cell patients appeared to lead to reduced incidence of new heart attacks, hospitalization due to heart failure and deaths, researchers said. "The trial may be a landmark in helping to determine whether the concept of progenitor (cell) therapy will have a future for restoring heart function after" heart attacks, said lead investigator Volker Schachinger of Goethe University.
