autologous atrial appendage micrografts

Autologous atrial appendage micrografts (AAMs) are a cell-based therapy developed for the treatment of heart failure and myocardial infarction. The therapy involves the intraoperative harvest of a small portion of the patient's right atrial appendage during cardiac surgery, such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This tissue, which acts as a reservoir for cardiac progenitor and stem cells, is mechanically processed in the operating room to create micrografts consisting of atrial appendage-derived cells (AADCs) and their native extracellular matrix (ECM). These micrografts are subsequently transplanted epicardially onto the infarcted area of the heart, often embedded in a fibrin gel and covered with a tissue-engineered extracellular matrix sheet. The treatment aims to promote myocardial regeneration, suppress inflammation, and improve overall cardiac function by delivering therapeutic cells and structural support directly to the damaged tissue at the point of care.

Other names

atrial appendage-derived cellsAADCsAADC-micrograftsautologous cardiac micrografts