A Novel Biological Strategy for Myocardial Protection by Intracoronary Delivery of Mitochondria: Safety and Efficacy.

•Mitochondrial transplantation uses mitochondria isolated from the patient’s own body to replace or augment native mitochondria damaged by ischemia reperfusion injury.•The transplanted mitochondria can be delivered to the myocardium by intra-coronary injection.•Intracoronary injection of mitochondria is safe and has no effect on coronary patency.•Intracoronary injection of mitochondria provides for the rapid uptake and specific biodistribution of mitochondria throughout the heart.•Intracoronary mitochondrial transplantation is efficacious and provides for enhanced post-ischemic myocardial function, improved coronary blood flow and reduction of infarct size.