Authors' reply

摘要

Shigeo Masuda points out the lack of a sizable effect on ejection fraction. The modest changes in ejection fraction in CADUCEUS (38.8% at baseline vs 41.2% at 6 months in the patients treated with cardiosphere-derived cells [CDCs]) are entirely consistent with the known relation between scar size and ejection fraction after myocardial infarction. Only a minor change in ejection fraction is predicted to accompany the reduction of scar size from 25.2% to 17.5% noted at 6 months. Despite the small effect on the ejection fraction, the striking increases in regional function seen in the zone of injury in CDC-treated patients support the notion that new working myocardium has been generated.