Regeneration after Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Aim: The Aim is to write review on regeneration of myocytes after myocardial infarction (MI). Objective: To discuss the stem cell therapy which repairs heart muscles after acute myocardial infarction (ACI). Background: MI is commonly known as heart attack. MI typically occurs when the blood supply to the heart gets blocked, which cause damage of the heart tissues and the damaged tissues begin to die. In some days or weeks, this area may spread and the heart unable to function properly. Recent treatment for ACI include thrombolytic therapy and coronary angioplasty. Another experimental method of treatment is the use of stem cells. Stem cell therapy is repairing the damaged tissue with new stem cells. In past days, stem cell therapy in regeneration after MI is impossible. Nowadays, many experiments have been conducted in dogs and rats shows that cells from myocardium, blood and bone marrow can be used for this therapy. A recent study on rats is that the cells from myocytes of rats with a rabbit c-kit antibody which give rise to myocytes, smooth muscle and endothelial cells. They reconstitute myocardium with new blood vessels and myocytes with the characteristics of young cells. Thus, the adult heart contains stem cells which opens new opportunities for myocardial repair (21). Reason: The reason of this review is to make people aware about the stem cell therapy after ACI which will save many lives instead of death after heart attack.