By using a catheter and transplanting ASM (autologous skeletal myoblasts) into scarred tissue, living muscle can be regenerated with limited risk to the patient.

Since the transplanted stem cells are harvested from the patient's own skeletal muscles, the cells are compatible with the body, avoiding possible immune system and tissue compatibility complications.

The procedure poses less risk than surgical procedures, since no anesthesia is required and only a small incision is necessary for catheter access. Patients can be discharged within 24 hours of the procedure.

Nabil Dib, M.D., M.Sc., Director of Clinical Cardiovascular Cell Therapy at the University of California, San Diego, and Director of Cardiovascular Research of Catholic Health Care West's Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert Hospitals in Phoenix, Ariz., was the principal investigator of the trial, which enrolled 23 patients with poor heart function and congestive heart failure marked by progressive weakening and the inability of the heart to pump blood properly.

The control group consisted of 11 patients on standard drug therapy, and the treatment group was given varying doses of 30, 100, 300, or 600 million cells of ASM.

After 6 months, the ASM group showed marked improvement in quality of life and potential improvement in heart function, while the control group worsened.

One patient with a prior history of ventricular tachycardia (abnormal heart rhythm) and pre-existing ICD implantation experienced ventricular tachycardia nine days after cell transplantation that was managed successfully.