Stem cell therapy for chronic myocardial infarction

J Cardiovasc Transl Res. 2010 Apr;3(2):79-88. doi: 10.1007/s12265-009-9159-9. Epub 2010 Jan 21.

Abstract

Although recent advances for the treatment of myocardial infarction have dramatically increased the rate of survival after the ischemic event, this has also led to a rise in the number of chronic patients, making the finding of a suitable therapy a compulsory subject for modern medicine. Over the last decade, stem cells have been a promise for the cure of several diseases not only due to their plasticity but also to their capacity to act in a paracrine manner and influence the affected tissue, prompting the launching of several clinical trials. In spite of the knowledge already acquired, stem cell application to chronically infarcted hearts has been much less approached than its acute counterpart. Through this review, we will focus in stem cell therapy in animal models of chronic myocardial infarction: cell types employed, functional results, mechanisms analyzed, and questions raised.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chronic Disease
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Myocardial Contraction
  • Myocardial Infarction / pathology
  • Myocardial Infarction / physiopathology
  • Myocardial Infarction / surgery*
  • Myocardium / pathology*
  • Recovery of Function
  • Regeneration*
  • Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome