To investigate the effect of combined treatment with the inclusion of fetal stem cells (FSCs) on the morphology and functional dynamics of the left ventricle and cognitive functions in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

A comparative study was carried out on patients with CHF to examine the effect of combined treatment, including the experimental application of FSCs, on the morphofunctional parameters of the left ventricle and cognitive functions. Patients were examined before FSC treatment (FSCT), and 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment. The control group consisted of 20 CHF patients of similar age, sex, and New York Heart Association class.

It has been proven that FSCs positively affect objective and subjective clinical parameters. A significant reduction of serum type B brain natriuretic peptide was reported as early as 1 month after treatment. Significant increases in the left ventricle ejection fraction and decreases of the end diastolic volume were observed 6 months after treatment. Cognitive performance tests showed improvements on the Mini-Mental State Examination and Frontal Assessment Battery (conceptualization, mental flexibility, programming, sensitivity to interference, inhibitory control, and environmental autonomy) scales. The treatment resulted in significant improvements in the general score and across all cognitive areas of the Mini-Mental State Examination (recall, orientation, attention, calculation, and complex commands) after 3 months, and significant improvements across all Frontal Assessment Battery areas after 6 months. In the control group, these scores showed significant increases only at 6 months after the treatment. In the study group, depression was significantly reduced within 1 month after treatment versus 3 months in the control group. In both groups, reactive anxiety levels dropped after month 3 upon FSCT. FSCT resulted in statistically significant improvements in the contractile activity of the left ventricular myocardium, in cognitive functions, and in the emotional state of CHF patients.

The evidence for significant improvements in the contractile function of the left ventricle myocardium, as well as in patients’ cognitive and emotional states, was observed in CHF patients after combined treatment with FSC.