Stent implantation without predilation in patients with a single, noncalcified coronary artery lesion.

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of stent implantation without predilation in patients with a single, noncalcified coronary artery lesion. A total of 122 patients were randomized to receive a stent with or without predilation; direct stent placement was possible in 59 of the 61 patients (97%) with an immediate and long-term clinical follow-up similar to that observed in the group of patients treated conventionally.

Synchronous brain metastasis from lung cancer. Result of surgical treatment in combined resection.

The results of combined surgical resection of brain metastasis and primary lung cancer from January 1976 to April 1986 were evaluated. In all cases the brain metastasis was single and synchronous and was resected first. There were 20 men and one woman, with an average age of 53 years. All patients initially had neurologic symptoms related to an intracranial mass. In 19 patients the primary lung cancer was roentgenologically visible, but in two the lesion was recognizable only by bronchoscopy. There were no operative deaths. Nine of 21 patients had a poor postoperative course and died during the first 6 months. The combined surgical approach improved the short-term survival rate in four patients, who died 11, 12, 18, and 21 months after the thoracic operation. In six patients (28.5%) survival for more than 2 years was obtained (three died after 27, 30, and 40 months, three are alive after 25, 28, and 48 months). Two others patients are alive and well 4 and 16 months after the thoracic operation. Synchronous onset of brain metastasis from lung cancer does not necessarily contraindicate combined operations, which can provide long-term survival in selected patients. The absence of mediastinal node metastasis is a favorable prognostic factor. Computed tomographic screening of the brain improves patient selection.

Restrictive criteria for heart transplantation candidacy maximize survival of patients with advanced heart failure.

BACKGROUND: The shortage of organ donors and the amelioration of medical management of advanced heart failure mandate strict selection of heart transplant candidates on the basis of the need and probability of success of transplantation, with the aim of maximizing survival of patients with advanced heart failure, both with and without transplantation. This study analyzes the impact of restricting the criteria for heart transplantation candidacy on the outcome of patients with advanced heart failure referred for transplantation. METHODS: Survival and freedom from major cardiac events (death, resuscitated cardiac arrest, transplantation while supported with inotropes or mechanical devices) were compared between patients listed during 1990 to 1991, when standard criteria were applied (group 1, n = 118), and patients listed during 1993 to 1994, when only patients requiring continuous/recurrent intravenous inotrope therapy in spite of optimized oral medications and outpatients showing actual progression of the disease were admitted to the waiting list (group 2, n = 88). Survival and freedom from cardiac events (defined as above plus listing in urgent status) were also calculated in stable outpatients evaluated in 1993 to 1994, who were potential heart transplant candidates according to standard criteria but were not listed because of restrictive criteria (group 3, n = 52, New York Heart Association functional class > or = III, mean echocardiographic ejection fraction 0.22 +/- 0.05, mean peak oxygen consumption 12.3 +/- 1.5 ml/kg/min, mean follow-up 19 +/- 10 months). RESULTS: Thirty-one percent, 40%, and 50% of group 1 patients versus 58%, 65%, and 77% of group 2 patients underwent transplantation within 3, 6, and 12 months after listing (p < 0.0007). The 1- and 2-year survival rates after listing were 80% and 71% in group 1 versus 85% and 84% in group 2 (p < 0.0001). Freedom from death/urgent transplantation was lower in group 2 than in group 1 (55% and 48% versus 72% and 59% at 6 and 12 months, respectively; p < 0.0001). In patients undergoing transplantation, the postoperative survival rate was similar (87% and 91% at 2 years in group 1 and group 2, respectively). Two years after heart transplantation candidacy was denied, 86% of group 3 patients were alive, and 74% were event-free. CONCLUSIONS: Restricting the admissions to the waiting list to patients with refractory/progressive heart failure improved survival rates after listing by increasing the probability to undergo transplantation in a short time. Selection of most severely ill candidates did not affect postoperative survival. Survival and freedom from cardiac events were good in patients with advanced but stable heart failure, in spite of their severe functional limitation. Thus restrictive criteria for heart transplantation candidacy allows maximal survival benefit from both medical therapy and transplantation.

Prognostic indices in heart transplant candidates after the first hospitalization triggered by the need for intravenous pharmacologic circulatory support.

BACKGROUND: Patients with heart failure refractory to optimal oral pharmacologic therapy have a dismal short term prognosis. Heart transplantation is the only therapy shown to improve survival in these patients. Unfortunately, due to the critical shortage of donor organs, approximately 30% of listed patients with end-stage heart failure die before a suitable donor heart becomes available. The principal aim of this study was to determine whether intravenous pharmacologic circulatory support favorably influences the clinical course of heart transplant candidates or whether mechanical circulatory support should be instituted in this high risk patient population. METHODS: Data from 154 consecutive hospitalizations in 125 patients 49+/-12 years were retrospectively reviewed. The product limit method was used to estimate survival. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the clinical and hemodynamic variables that independently predict outcome after each admission in which heart transplantation did not occur. RESULTS: One year survival for the study population was 65%. This survival is significantly lower than the 91% 1 year survival in similarly ill patients undergoing heart transplantation. The Cox proportional hazard method identified serum bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum sodium levels and right atrial pressure as independent prognostic indices. Serum bilirubin, BUN levels and duration of intravenous pharmacologic circulatory support were associated with a poor outcome. A composite index including serum bilirubin and BUN levels predicted outcome with a sensitivity and specificity of 79% and 77%, respectively. The addition of pharmacologic support duration increased the model's sensitivity to 95%, but did not significantly alter specificity that was 74%. Of the 125 patients hospitalized due to the need to initiate intravenous pharmacologic support for the first time (index hospitalization), 69 (55%) were discharged after optimization of medical therapy. Of 21 patients who did not undergo transplantation during the follow-up period, 18 (86%) died within 2 years of the index hospitalization. The duration of intravenous pharmacologic support beyond which prognosis dramatically worsens without heart transplantation is 21 days. CONCLUSION: Heart transplant candidates who require intravenous pharmacologic circulatory support for more than 21 days and do not receive a suitable donor heart within this period of time have a high mortality. Alternative therapies, such as implantation of a mechanical circulatory assist device should be considered in this high risk population.

A randomised comparison of the use of 4 and 6 French diagnostic catheters: the limits of downsizing.

BACKGROUND: The use of small catheters for coronary angiography can reduce the risk of vascular complications and allow early ambulation, but excessive downsizing may lead to poor quality imaging. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of performing coronary angiography using 4 French (4 F) femoral catheters. METHODS: In total, 400 consecutive elective patients were randomised to undergo coronary angiography with 4 F or 6 F catheters. The puncture site was manually compressed and inspected before and after ambulation, and 24 h later. The handling difficulty of the catheters was semi-quantitatively evaluated using a three grade scoring system; angiogram quality was evaluated by two independent physicians. RESULTS: No major procedure-related complications were observed. Coronary arteriography with 4 F catheters was possible in all of the attempted cases. There were no statistical differences between the two groups in terms of procedural or fluoroscopy time, the amount of contrast medium used, or the incidence of vascular complications, while compression time was significantly shorter in the patients studied using the smaller catheter (3.4 vs. 9.9 min; P<0.0001). Catheter stability was similar in the two groups, whereas catheter torque and the quality of the coronary angiograms were statistically better in the patients studied using six French catheters. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary angiography with 4 F catheters is technically feasible and permits early ambulation after the procedure. Although the radiological resolution of the images obtained using 4 F catheters was always adequate for clinical decision-making, the angiogram quality and catheter handling were significantly better using the 6 F system.

Posterior annuloplasty in the surgical treatment of mitral insufficiency.

One hundred and twenty-nine patients underwent posterior mitral annuloplasty with a Gore-Tex tube for mitral regurgitation between January 1982 and June 1991. The hospital mortality was 1.5% (CL = 0.5%-2.5%). The overall survival of hospital survivors was 96.5% +/- 2.7% at five and 86.2% +/- 7.6% at nine years, freedom from cardiac death was 99.1% +/- 0.9% and 95.2% +/- 3.9%, respectively. The actuarial freedom from embolism was 96.1% +/- 2.3% at five and 88.5% +/- 5.5% at nine years. The freedom from endocarditis (one patient) was 100% and 92.6 +/- 7.1%, respectively. Reoperation was necessary in six cases between one and 72 months after the operation (mean 38.5 +/- 30.5 months). The etiology of the valvular insufficiency was rheumatic in all reoperated cases. The freedom from reoperation was 94.1% +/- 3.2% at five and 87.2% +/- 5.6% at nine years. There was no mortality at reoperation. Of the 117 patients alive at the end of follow up and not requiring reintervention, 113 (96.6%) showed good functional improvement and were in NYHA functional class I or II. We conclude that both the immediate and long-term results of reconstructive surgery using the technique of inserting a half-ring on the posterior mitral annulus compare favorably with those obtained using other annuloplasty methods.

The Concerted Action 'Heart' European registry on clinical application of mechanical circulatory support systems: bridge to transplant. The Registry Scientific Committee.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this paper is to identify in the field of mechanical support as bridge to transplant, by statistical analysis, variables influencing survival during support (transplanted patients) and the overall survival (discharged after transplant). METHODS: Clinical factors are analysed in 258 patients in the period 1986-1993. All variables were analyzed by a univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The indications for mechanically circulatory support were hemodynamic deterioration before transplantation in 177 (69%), post acute myocardial infarction in 40 (15%), postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock in 20 (8%), graft failure in 12 (5%) and cardiac rejection 9 (3%). The devices implanted have been: pneumatic VAD in 145 cases (56%), electromechanical LVAS in 15 cases (6%), TAH in 78 cases (30%) and centrifugal pumps in 20 cases (8%). The patients were supported for period ranging from 2 h to 623 days (mean 18.3 days +/- 43.2). The type of support was: LVAD 50 cases (20%), RVAD 3 cases (1%), BVAD 127 cases (49%), and TAH 78 cases (30%). Bleeding occurred in 84 patients (32.5%), infections in 83 patients (32.1%); 21 embolic complications were reported in 16 patients (6%). Renal failure occurred in 64 cases (25%) requiring dialysis in 33 (13%); respiratory failure in 47 cases (18%); neurological impairment was noted in 22 patients (9%). One hundred-sixty patients were transplanted (62%) and 104 ultimately discharged (40% out of total 258 patients and 65% out of 160 transplanted patients). Among postoperative parameters, renal failure, TAH, neurological impairment and infection shown statistical power. Some pre- and post-operative variables were identified as independent risk factors for overall mortality: age, indication for graft failure, all indications different from cardiomyopathy, neurological impairment, renal insufficiency, infection, bleeding and any type of support different from LVAD. The improvement in the success rate in the last 2 years is statistically significant (P = 0.0282) considering both the percentage of transplanted patients and of discharged patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results are encouraging if mechanical support is performed in patients with deterioration while awaiting transplant, when LVAD is feasible and effective, when an ideal timing of transplant during support period is identified.

Hospital morbidity and mortality after myocardial revascularisation surgery: current changes in risk factors.

To identify the operating risks for mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing aortocoronary bypass surgery, the data of 514 myocardial revascularisation procedures performed consecutively between January 1991 and December 1992 were analysed; 73.2% of the patients had associated diseases and 59.3% had suffered one or more previous myocardial infarctions. The mean ejection fraction of the population as a whole was 52.2 +/- 13. In 10.5% of the cases there was severe left ventricular (LV) function impairment with a mean ejection fraction (EF) of 30.2 +/- 4.4 (range 20-35). A major preoperative complication occurred in 8.2% of the entire population and 68.8% of the patients undergoing emergency surgery. Surgery was elective in 72.7% of the cases, urgent in 15.4% and emergency in 11.9%. Hospital mortality was 4.1% (CL 3.2-4.9). In the group of electively operated patients, mortality was 2.7% (CL 1.8-3.5), with no statistically significant difference (P = 0.943) from the mortality observed in the patients undergoing urgent surgery [2.5% (CL 0.8-4.1)]. The mortality in both groups was statistically different (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.008) from that of the patients undergoing emergency surgery [14.7% (CL 10.1-18.9)]. Perioperative acute myocardial infarction occurred in 5.4% of the patients (CL 4.4-6.4), in three cases resulting in death [10.7% (CL 4.8-15.8)]. Fourteen of the acute myocardial infarctions (AMI) occurred in the 42 patients undergoing emergency surgery for acute coronary occlusion (33.3%). A percentage of 18.7% of the 493 surviving patients suffered a postoperative complication.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Active infective endocarditis: surgical approach.

From January 1982 to December 1991, 65 interventions were performed in 61 patients with active infective endocarditis (IE): 32 on native valves (Group 1) and 33 on prosthetic valves (Group 2). In Group 1, 23 patients had a known previous valve disease; major preoperative clinical complications occurred in 16 patients (50%); 84% were in NYHA classes III and IV. In Group 2 major preoperative clinical complications occurred in 13 patients (44.8%); 86% were in NYHA classes III and IV. The mean time interval between the onset of hemodynamic impairment of varying degrees and surgery was 13 +/- 15 days for Group 1, and 8 +/- 11 days for Group 2. In all cases, the native valves or prostheses were replaced by mechanical valve prostheses. Particular procedures were performed in three patients in Group 1 and five patients in Group 2. In Group 1 there were 8 hospital deaths (25%) and 11 (34.4%) non-fatal complications. In Group 2 there were 9 deaths (31%) and 14 (48.3%) non-fatal complications. Risk factors for hospital death were "preoperative low cardiac output syndrome" and "time interval between the onset of cardiac failure and surgery" in Group 1, "cardiac failure+sepsis" in Group 2, "time interval between the onset of cardiac failure and surgery" and "particular procedures" in all 61 patients. Sepsis alone and the type of pathogenic agent does not significantly affect the risk of death. The recurrence of acute IE was 12.6% in Group 1, and 20% in Group 2. The incidence of reintervention was 12.6% in Group 1 and 35% in Group 2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evaluation and treatment of secondary tricuspid insufficiency.

To define the role of functional tricuspid insufficiency and right ventricular (RV) failure in patients with mitral disease, the data of 121 patients with secondary tricuspid insufficiency that underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR) from January 1982 to December 1987 were analyzed. The mitral hemodynamic lesion was: stenosis in 41 patients (33.9%); insufficiency in 11 (9.1%) and mixed stenosis and insufficiency in 69 (57.0%). NYHA functional class was: II in 4 patients (3.3%), III in 78 (64.5%) and IV in 39 (32.2%). In 100 cases (group 1) with tricuspid insufficiency defined as moderate or severe, a De Vega annuloplasty was performed while in 21 (group 2) with mild tricuspid insufficiency, no tricuspid surgical procedure was performed. Hospital deaths occurred in 17 of 121 patients [14% (CL 10.8-17.0)]. There was no significant difference in hospital mortality between group 1 and group 2 (15% vs 9.5%; P = 0.75). Incremental risk factors for hospital mortality as determined by multivariate analysis, include: cardiothoracic ratio (P = 0.0016), total aortic cross-clamp time (P = 0.006), associated cardiac disease (P = 0.0209) and emergency operations (P = 0.0318). Mean follow-up of surviving patients was 50.1 +/- 28.1 months. Late deaths occurred in 16 patients [15.4% (CL 11.7-18.7)]. The actuarial survival rate was 85.6% and 73.8% at 5 and 9 years, respectively. Nine patients [8.6% (CL 5.9-11.3)] required reoperation. There was no significant difference between group 1 and group 2 in the rate of late cardiac related deaths (5.9% vs 5.3%, P = 0.66) and of tricuspid reoperations (4.7% vs 5.3%, P = 0.62).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Combined heart and kidney transplantation: an effective therapeutic option--report of six cases.

Six cases of combined heart and kidney transplantation with organs from the same donor are reported. All six patients suffered from primary end-stage kidney disease, two chronic glomerulonephritis, two glomerulosclerosis, one chronic pyelonephritis and one with unknown etiology. Four patients were undergoing hemodialysis. Three patients had the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease, one dilated cardiomyopathy secondary to congenital heart disease, two idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Five were males and one female. Ages ranged from 38 to 54 years. On-site or short-distance young donors with normal renal function and good cardiac function necessitating low inotropic support were selected. ABO compatibility was used exclusively. Orthotopic heart transplantation was performed first. During cardiopulmonary bypass, hemofiltration was used in four cases. Kidney transplantation was performed immediately after the closure of the chest. Diuresis was immediate in all cases. No cardiac rejection was documented at EMB. Renal function normalized within few days with no signs of kidney rejection. All six patients are alive and well with normal cardiac and renal function at a mean follow-up of 43 months. Patients and donors selection associated with a proper surgical strategy and prompt immunosuppressive therapy administration make the combined heart and kidney transplantation an effective therapeutic option.

Extrathoracic ectopia cordis. Case report.

Extrathoracic ectopia cordis is a challenging congenital anomaly: surgical repair is generally unsuccessful because of the magnitude of the deformity and the associated intracardiac anomalies. Our clinical case had additional surgical risk for prematurity. Immediately after birth the mediastinal space was surgically enlarged and the naked heart covered with a prosthetic patch. Complete repair (placement of the heart inside the chest) would have been done later. The newborn infant survived the 1st procedure; unfortunately few hours later he died for not cardiac-related causes. Surgical strategies on this topic are discussed.

Pregnancy in patients with mechanical prosthetic heart valves. Our experience regarding 98 pregnancies in 57 patients.

Ninety-eight pregnancies in 57 patients with mechanical (ball or tilting disc) prosthetic heart valves are described. Sixty-one pregnancies developed in 36 patients with a mitral prosthesis, 12 pregnancies in 9 patients with an aortic prosthesis, 17 pregnancies in 10 patients with both mitral and aortic prostheses and 8 pregnancies in 2 patients with mitral and tricuspid prostheses. All patients were in I or in II NYHA class at conception and no significative change was noted during pregnancy. All the patients were treated with oral anticoagulant therapy at conception. Different kinds of antithrombotic and antiembolic prophylaxis were employed. There were 13 voluntary interruptions of pregnancy and 37 spontaneous abortions. In the 47 newborn 2 malformation complications (1 warfarin syndrome, 1 cleft palate) and 4 haemorrhagic complications (without sequelae) were noted. Two fatal thromboses of a mitral prosthesis occurred; systemic embolic complications were noted in 7 cases. These observations suggested different incidences of complications regarding the antithrombotic and anti-embolic prophylaxis. The authors point out the high risk of thrombotic and embolic complications and the low rate of successful outcome of pregnancy in these patients.

Results of heart valve replacement with the SORIN prosthesis.

From March 1977 to December 1981, 872 patients at our institution underwent valve replacement with a pyrolytic carbon tilting disc prosthesis manufactured in Italy by SORIN-Biomedica. To verify the performance characteristics of this prosthesis, we analyzed the intermediate-term results obtained over a cumulative total of 3,041 patient-years (pt-yr) of follow-up. Three hundred sixty-nine patients underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR), 309 had aortic valve replacement (AVR), and 194 had both mitral and aortic (double) valve replacement (DVR). Expressed in actuarial terms (% [+/- standard error of the mean] free of adverse events at 5 years) and in linearized terms (% pt-yr), respectively, valve-related complications occurred at the following rates: Thromboembolism, 89.9 +/- 1.9% and 2.1 +/- 0.4% pt-yr (MVR); 92.1 +/- 1.9% and 1.7 +/- 0.4% (AVR); 90.5 +/- 5.0% and 2.2 +/- 0.6% (DVR). Anticoagulant-related hemorrhage, 95.2 +/- 1.5% and 1.4 +/- 0.3% (MVR); 95.9 +/- 1.5% and 1.3 +/- 0.3% (AVR); 96.0 +/- 2.0% and 0.9 +/- 0.4% (DVR). Prosthetic valve endocarditis, 99.0 +/- 0.6% and 0.2 +/- 0.1% (MVR); 97.4 +/- 1.0% and 0.6 +/- 0.2% (AVR); 94.5 +/- 1.7% and 1.4 +/- 0.4% (DVR). Reoperation, 92.6 +/- 1.5% and 1.7 +/- 0.3% (MVR); 89.4 +/- 1.9% and 2.4 +/- 0.4% (AVR); 82.3 +/- 2.9% and 4.8 +/- 0.8% (DVR). The total valve-related morbidity and mortality was 79.6 +/- 2.6% and 4.9 +/- 0.6% (MVR); 79.7 +/- 2.6% and 5.1 +/- 0.6% (AVR); 70.5 +/- 4.0% and 7.7 +/- 1.1% (DVR). The 5-year actuarial survival rate without hospital mortality was 86.8 +/- 2.0% (MVR), 91.0 +/- 1.7% (AVR), and 78.8 +/- 3.7% (DVR). The intermediate-term survival and complication rates showed the performance of the SORIN prosthesis to be quite satisfactory.

Chronic traumatic aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta.

Between 1970 and December 1984, 28 patients with post-traumatic chronic aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta were consecutively operated on in our Division of Cardiac Surgery. Ages ranged from 16 to 66 years (mean 38 years); 25 were male and three were female. In all cases, a history of a major deceleration injury was documented. The interval between trauma and operation ranged from 2 to 50 years (mean 11.4 +/- 7.8). Twenty-three (82.1%) were asymptomatic. Only one operation was performed on an urgent basis for recurrent episodes of hemoptysis. All patients underwent resection with prosthetic tubulargraft (25 cases) and patch-graft (3 cases) replacements. In all patients but one, left heart bypass was employed. No hospital deaths, late deaths, paraplegia or graft-related complications occurred. Considering the risk of late rupture and the young age of most of the patients, surgery in chronic post-traumatic aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta is always indicated. We consider left heart bypass a safe technique in preventing renal and medullar ischemic injuries.

Mitral valve replacement with the SORIN valve. Long-term follow-up of 1,161 patients.

From 1 March 1977 through 31 December 1987, 1,252 patients underwent mitral valve replacement with a SORIN-Biomedica 60 degrees tilting-disc prosthesis at our institution. Hospital mortality was 7.3% (91 patients); prosthesis-related deaths, expressed as a percentage of hospital mortality, accounted for 12.1% of these early deaths. The 1,161 patients who survived hospitalization have been followed up for a total of 4,835 patient-years (range, 1 to 128 months; mean, 50.4 +/- 27.3 months). Forty-three (3.7%) of these patients were lost to follow-up. The late mortality was 6.3% (1.5% +/- 0.2% per patient-year), and the 10-year actuarial survival rate, excluding hospital mortality, was 89.1% +/- 1.6%. The 10-year actuarial (and linearized) rates of freedom from valve-related complications were as follows: embolism, 94.4% +/- 1.0% (0.93% +/- 0.1% per patient-year); thrombosis of the prosthesis, 99.8% +/- 0.1% (0.06% +/- 0.03% per patient-year; hemorrhage, 93.7% +/- 1.5% (0.95% +/- 0.1% per patient-year); prosthetic valve endocarditis, 99.3% +/- 0.3% (0.14% +/- 0.05% per patient-year); reoperation, 90.6% +/- 2.1% (1.1% +/- 0.2% per patient-year); and overall complications, 76.6% +/- 2.5% (2.9% +/- 0.2% per patient-year). No structural deterioration was noted. These data not only confirm our previous reports concerning the reliability and durability of the SORIN prosthesis but also reveal a significant reduction, over the long term, in the overall incidence of valve-related complications.

Mycotic tuberculous aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta.

Tuberculous aneurysm of the aorta is a rare and dangerous condition. Despite modern diagnostic and surgical techniques, it remains a challenge to recognize and treat. A successful resection of a false aneurysm of the descending aorta that ruptured into the lung of a 55-year-old woman is reported. A history of the patient and microscopic examination of the specimen indicated a diagnosis of tuberculosis. Antituberculosis chemotherapy was immediately implemented. The patient appears to be in good condition 8 months after operation; however, she remains under treatment for tuberculosis.

Resident cardiac stem cells.

The introduction of stem cells in cardiology provides new tools in understanding the regenerative processes of the normal and pathologic heart and opens new options for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The feasibility of adult bone marrow autologous and allogenic cell therapy of ischemic cardiomyopathies has been demonstrated in humans. However, many unresolved questions remain to link experimental with clinical observations. The demonstration that the heart is a self-renewing organ and that its cell turnover is regulated by myocardial progenitor cells offers novel pathogenetic mechanisms underlying cardiac diseases and raises the possibility to regenerate the damaged heart. Indeed, cardiac stem progenitor cells (CSPCs) have recently been isolated from the human heart by several laboratories although differences in methodology and phenotypic profile have been described. The present review points to the potential role of CSPCs in the onset and development of congestive heart failure and its reversal by regenerative approaches aimed at the preservation and expansion of the resident pool of progenitors.