Regenerative therapy for hypoplastic left heart syndrome: First report of intraoperative intramyocardial injection of autologous umbilical-cord blood-derived cells.

Burkhart HM¹, Qureshi MY², Peral SC³, O'Leary PW², Olson TM², Cetta F², Nelson TJ⁴; Wanek Program Clinical Pipeline Group.

The current standard of care for neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) includes a series of cardiac operations culminating in a complete cavopulmonary connection. Given the increased workload placed on the right ventricle, development of ventricular dysfunction and heart failure are concerns. As this patient population ages, many may require cardiac transplantation. Cell-based strategies to treat heart failure in adults have been reported, but little is known about their feasibility and efficacy in children with congenital heart disease.