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Stem Cell Therapy

Stem Cell Therapy for Heart Attack (MARVEL Trial)

Phase 2 & 3
Waitlist Available
Research Sponsored by Bioheart, Inc.
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at screening of less than or equal to 35 percent by multiple gated acquisition scan (MUGA)
Defined region of myocardial dysfunction related to previous MI involving the anterior, lateral, posterior or inferior walls including the apical septum (excluding the basal septum) assessed by a large area of akinesia in the left ventricle (using DSE at screening)
Must not have
Inability to undergo a surgical biopsy of the skeletal muscle for culture of myoblasts, including any significant myopathy
Patient will require revascularization within six months
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up up to 5 years

Summary

This trial is testing whether injecting a person's own stem cells into heart muscle tissue can improve heart performance after one or more heart attacks.

Who is the study for?
Adults aged 18-80 with chronic heart failure (Class II-IV), stabilized on specific heart medications, and an ejection fraction of ≤35%. They must have had a heart attack affecting certain heart walls and cannot be candidates for revascularization. Excluded are those needing imminent heart procedures, with recent severe cardiac events or interventions, uncontrolled conditions, or unable to perform basic physical tests.
What is being tested?
The trial is testing the safety and effectiveness of injecting a patient's own stem cells (MyoCell) into their heart muscle after suffering from one or more heart attacks. The goal is to see if this can improve the function of the patient's heart.
What are the potential side effects?
Potential side effects may include reactions at the injection site, infection risk due to stem cell implantation, immune system responses against implanted cells, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), and general discomfort.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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My heart's pumping ability is 35% or less.
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My heart has a large area not moving well due to a past heart attack.
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I am on the highest dose of ACE inhibitors that I can tolerate.
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I am between 18 and 80 years old.
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I am between 18 and 80 years old.
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I have chronic heart failure classified as NYHA Class II-IV.
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I am on the highest dose of beta blockers that I can tolerate.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I cannot have a muscle biopsy due to a significant muscle condition.
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I need a procedure to improve blood flow within six months.
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I am on IV drug therapy, either continuously or intermittently.
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I cannot perform a 6-minute walk test due to severe health issues unrelated to heart failure.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~up to 5 years
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and up to 5 years for reporting.

Treatment Details

Trial Design

3Treatment groups
Active Control
Placebo Group
Group I: High DoseActive Control1 Intervention
Patient will undergo biopsy. Skeletal myoblasts will be cultured in growth media.
Group II: Low DoseActive Control1 Intervention
Patient will undergo biopsy. Skeletal myoblasts will be cultured in growth media.
Group III: ControlPlacebo Group1 Intervention
Patient will undergo biopsy of muscle tissue and biopsy tissue will be sent to lab.

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Bioheart, Inc.Lead Sponsor
8 Previous Clinical Trials
776 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

MyoCell (Stem Cell Therapy) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT00526253 — Phase 2 & 3
Congestive Heart Failure Research Study Groups: Control, High Dose, Low Dose
Congestive Heart Failure Clinical Trial 2023: MyoCell Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT00526253 — Phase 2 & 3
MyoCell (Stem Cell Therapy) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT00526253 — Phase 2 & 3
~9 spots leftby Dec 2025