A NEW phase 3 clinical trial has revealed that stem cells can help prevent heart failure in patients recovering from acute myocardial infarction. The study found that intracoronary infusion of mesenchymal stem cells significantly reduced the risk of heart failure and related complications.
Harnessing Stem Cells for Cardiac Repair
The therapeutic use of stem cells in cardiovascular medicine has long been investigated, but robust clinical evidence has remained limited. Heart failure is a major long-term complication after myocardial infarction, often leading to repeated hospital admissions and reduced quality of life. The PREVENT-TAHA8 study sought to determine whether intracoronary infusion of Wharton’s jelly derived mesenchymal stem cells could prevent the onset of heart failure in this high-risk population.
Mesenchymal stem cells are thought to exert regenerative effects through anti-inflammatory and paracrine mechanisms, promoting tissue repair and improving cardiac function after injury. The study’s focus on clinical outcomes, rather than surrogate markers alone, provides valuable insights into the real-world benefits of this treatment approach.
Trial Design and Key Results
In this phase 3 randomised trial, 420 patients experiencing a first ST segment elevation myocardial infarction with left ventricular ejection fraction below 40% were enrolled across three tertiary hospitals. Participants were randomised in a 1:2 ratio to receive either intracoronary infusion of allogenic Wharton’s jelly derived mesenchymal stem cells or standard care.
Final analysis included 396 patients (136 intervention, 260 control) with a median follow-up of 33.2 months. Infusion of mesenchymal stem cells reduced the incidence of heart failure (2.77 v 6.48 per 100 person years; hazard ratio 0.43; P=0.024) and hospital readmission for heart failure (0.92 v 4.20 per 100 person years; P=0.015). Left ventricular ejection fraction improved by an average of nearly 6% more than in the control group. While mortality and recurrent myocardial infarction rates were not significantly affected, composite adverse events were markedly lower in the treatment arm.
Clinical Significance and Future Directions
These findings highlight the potential of Wharton’s jelly derived mesenchymal stem cells as an adjunctive therapy following acute myocardial infarction. The observed reductions in heart failure incidence and hospitalisation suggest meaningful clinical benefits that could reshape post-infarction care.
Reference
Attar A et al. Prevention of acute myocardial infarction induced heart failure by intracoronary infusion of mesenchymal stem cells: phase 3 randomised clinical trial (PREVENT-TAHA8). bmj. 2025;391.
