Roberto Lonardi

Does stem cell therapy induce myocardial neoangiogenesis? Histological evaluation in an ischemia/reperfusion animal model.

Background In an experimental model in the rabbit, a myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury was obtained. Subsequently, the effects of homologous bone marrow stem cell (BMSC) administration were studied. Methods In 21 New Zealand adult rabbits, ischemia/reperfusion damage was induced by temporary occlusion of the anterior descending coronary artery. Homologous BMSCs were isolated, cultured and re-suspended for injection at the level of the ischemic zone. We evaluated the proangiogenetic effect of intramyocardial injections of BMSC at the peri-infarcted area. Histological evaluations were made after 20 days from the surgical procedure. Results In rabbits treated with intramyocardial BMSC administration, we demonstrated histologically capillary neoangiogenesis, without signs of tissue immunological reaction or of generation of new myocardial cells. On the contrary, only minimal neovascular supply was detected in rabbits treated with intravenous administration of BMSC. Only typical signs of ischemic myocardium injury were observed in the control group. Conclusion These observations suggest that the effect of direct BMSC administration in ischemic myocardium could promote a capillary neoangiogenesis, which helps to prevent ischemic myocardial damage.

Preventing pulmonary embolism using venous caval filter in elderly patients

A survey of the venous caval filter implantations is presented, carried out during the last 10 years at the Modena Institute of Surgical Pathologies. Out of a total of 92 cases, 49 patients were older than 65 years (on average 72.95 years) . The complication-free surgical procedures and the low number of minor complications having occurred during the follow up of 1 to 10 years suggest a more extensive use of the caval filters in elderly patients.