Intramyocardial injection of autologous bone marrow cells as an adjunctive therapy to incomplete myocardial revascularization--safety issues.

Objectives: To determine the safety of intramyocardial injection of autologous bone marrow cells in patients undergoing surgical myocardial revascularization (CABG) for severe coronary artery disease.

Introduction: There is little data available regarding the safety profile of autologous bone marrow cells injected during surgical myocardial revascularization. Potential risks include arrythmias, fibrosis in the injected sites and growth of non-cardiac tissues.