Hematopoietic stem cell implant in patients with peripheral vascular disease

Abstract

Introduction: arteriosclerosis obliterans is the most common cause of arterial occlusive disease. The self transplantation of mononuclear cells that is applied to the ischemic tissue is carried out taking into account the potential of the cells to provide endothelial stem cells and also to secrete angiogenic factors. Objective: To assess the outcome of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease. Methods: A prospective study of patients admitted with a diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease, with or without diabetes, who underwent the implantation of haematopoietic stem cells. Two groups of patients are considered: Group 1: patients with a diagnosis of chronic arterial insufficiency with no possibility of revascularization. Group 2: patients diagnosed with ischemic diabetic foot that underwent a minor amputation and implant of stem cells. Results: Males prevailed in group 1, as well as smokers and with femoropopliteal occlusive pattern. After implantation, there was a clear improvement in patients. An advanced response was achieved in 57.4% of cases and a 10.6% of failure. In group 2, there was a predominance females and of type 2 diabetes. After implantation, there was formation of granulation tissue for the secondary intention cicatrisation in 72% of cases. There were only 4 failures by extent of ischemia. Conclusions: This procedure has been able to achieve a reduction in major amputations in patients with chronic limb ischemia by improving their quality of life.