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Figure 1 Diagrammatic representation of the algorithm of intracoronary stem cell therapy (Tx) in chronic ischemic heart disease after myocardial infarction. The infarcts occurred 27 ± 31 months before Tx. All infarct patients were treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or with stent implantation. 9 ± 6 months before (investigation 1) coronary angiography (including quantitative left ventriuclography) was performed. If re-stenosis was present, re-PTCA was made. Investigation 2 embraces all patients for the evaluation of coronary morphology after PTCA/stent. Only patients with an open infarct-related artery were included in both groups. Patients who agreed to Tx received within 10 days after investigation 2 bone marrow punctures and Tx by the intracoronary administration route and had altogether five invasive investigations, including two for therapeutic reasons (nos. 0 and 1). Patients who were not eligible for Tx (disagreement with bone marrow puncture and with subsequent Tx) served as a control group. Investigation 3 represents all follow-up measurements 3 months after Tx (Tx patients) or after investigation 2 for control group patients.
