Abstract
Myocardial infarction is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although medical and surgical treatments can significantly improve patient outcomes, no treatment currently available is able to generate new contractile tissue or reverse ischemic myocardium. Driven by the recent/novel understanding that regenerative processes do exist in the myocardium—tissue previously thought not to possess regenerative properties—the use of stem cells has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach with high expectations. The literature describes the use of cells from various sources, categorizing them as either embryonic, induced pluripotent, or adult/tissue stem cells (mesenchymal, hematopoietic, skeletal myoblasts, cardiac stem cells). Many publications show the successful use of these cells to regenerate damaged myocardium in both animal and human models; however, more studies are needed to directly compare cells of various origins in efforts to draw conclusions on the ideal source. Although numerous challenges exist in this developing area of research and clinical practice, prospects are encouraging. The following aims to provide a concise review outlining the different types of stem cells used in patients after myocardial infarction.
Highlights
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) representing the most common CVD [1]
Results did not match those found in animal models, showing no evidence of improved left ventricular (LV) function when compared with standard coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) without the addition of stem cell transplantation
Further studies found similar results, failing to achieve differentiation into cardiomyocytes, and contributing to incidence of new arrhythmias, concluding that skeletal myoblasts are committed to the skeletal muscle lineage [10]
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) representing the most common CVD [1]. Coronary artery disease (CAD) resulting in myocardial infarction (MI) can lead to ischemic heart damage, which, depending on the ability and timing of reperfusion, may be reversible or irreversible [2]. Driven by the relatively novel understanding that regenerative processes do exist in the myocardium—tissue previously thought to be post-mitotic—the use of stem cells has emerged as an encouraging therapeutic approach with high expectations for patients with limited/no other treatment options [5,6]. Many publications show the successful use of these cells to regenerate damaged myocardium in both animal and human models; conflicting results exist, procedural characteristics lack standardization, and more studies are needed to directly compare cells in efforts to draw conclusions on the ideal source.
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