Method of providing a dynamic cellular cardiac support

We claim:

1. A method for repairing the myocardium of an individual comprising the steps of: a. obtaining myogenic cells; b. culturing the myogenic cells in vitro; c. providing in vitroelectrical stimulation to the myogenic cell culture to simulate fetal heart rate and synchronize contraction of the cells, wherein the electrical stimulation has a frequency of about 120 pulses per minute, a pulse amplitude of from 2.5-6 volts, and apulse width of from 0.2-0.7 milliseconds; and d. implanting the electrically stimulated myogenic cells into the myocardium.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of providing electrical stimulation to the implanted cells to induce the implanted cells to contract in synchrony with the surrounding tissue.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the myogenic cells are selected from the group consisting of skeletal myoblasts, bone marrow stromal cells, peripheral blood stem cells, multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPC), smooth muscle cells, adultcardiomyocytes, fetal cardiomyocytes, neonatal cardiomyocytes, embryonic stem cells, bone marrow derived angioblasts, endothelial cells, CD34+ cells, CD133+ cells, CD117+ cells and combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the pulse has an amplitude of 5 volts and a width of 0.5 milliseconds.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the myogenic cells cultured in vitro are cultured in a three-dimensional, biodegradable matrix.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the electrical stimulation provided to the implanted cells is in the form of atrial synchronized biventricular pacing.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the cells of step b. are cultured in a biodegradable matrix.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the width is 0.5 milliseconds.

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Method of enhancing myogenesis by electrical stimulation

What is claimed is:

1. A method of enhancing myogenesis in myocardium comprising the steps of:

identifying an injury site in the myocardium; and applying electrical stimulation to the site, wherein the application of the electrical stimulation causes myogenesis, wherein the electrical stimulation is provided as 30 pulses per second with a voltage of 3.5 mV, and successively alternating currents of 700 to 1500 picoamps for one minute, 200 picoamps for 10 seconds, and again with 700 to 1500 picoamps for one minute.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical stimulation recruits stem cells to the injury site.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the direction of the current of the electrostimulation is periodically reversed.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of implanting myogenic cells into the site of injury before or after application of electrical stimulation.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the myogenic cells are first electrostimulated in culture.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the cells are electrostimulated with 15 mV and a current of 500 picoamps at 70 pulses per minute.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the cells are plated on collagen coated substrates.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the cells are stretched 0.2 mms at 70 beats per minute.

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