This study investigates the homing and biodistribution of autologous bone marrow cells (BMCs) in the infarcted myocardium after therapeutic application in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The researchers used 18F-FDG labeling and 3D PET imaging to monitor the fate of BMCs. Unselected BMCs were infused intracoronarily or intravenously, and CD34-positive (CD34+) cells were immunomagnetically enriched from unselected BMCs before infusion. The results showed that only a small fraction (1.3% to 2.6%) of the infused BMCs were retained in the infarcted myocardium, with the majority accumulating in the liver and spleen. CD34-enriched cells displayed higher retention in the infarct border zone compared to unselected BMCs. The study concludes that 18F-FDG labeling and 3D PET imaging can effectively monitor myocardial homing and biodistribution of BMCs after therapeutic application, providing insights into the mechanisms of BMC therapy and potential optimization strategies.This study investigates the homing and biodistribution of autologous bone marrow cells (BMCs) in the infarcted myocardium after therapeutic application in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The researchers used 18F-FDG labeling and 3D PET imaging to monitor the fate of BMCs. Unselected BMCs were infused intracoronarily or intravenously, and CD34-positive (CD34+) cells were immunomagnetically enriched from unselected BMCs before infusion. The results showed that only a small fraction (1.3% to 2.6%) of the infused BMCs were retained in the infarcted myocardium, with the majority accumulating in the liver and spleen. CD34-enriched cells displayed higher retention in the infarct border zone compared to unselected BMCs. The study concludes that 18F-FDG labeling and 3D PET imaging can effectively monitor myocardial homing and biodistribution of BMCs after therapeutic application, providing insights into the mechanisms of BMC therapy and potential optimization strategies.