Ischemic heart disease cell transplantation

Assmus B, Honold J, Lehmann R, Pistorius K, Hoffmann WK, Martin H, Schachinger V, Zeiher AM. Transcoronary transplantation of progenitor cells and recovery of left ventricular function in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease results of a randomized controlled trial. Circulation 2004 110(Suppl III) 238. 

Unlabeled Uses Prevention of postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT), protection of aortocoronary bypass grafts, reduction of graft loss after renal transplant, treatment of intermittent claudication, sickle cell disease, subarachnoid hemorrhage, diabetic microangiopathy, ischemic heart disease... 

It is obvious that angiogenic therapy for ischemic heart disease using gene therapy, cell transplantation, and hematogenous cytokine administration will benefit increasing numbers of patients. However, long-term studies monitoring side effects to... 

Stem cells from a number of sources have been explored for regenerating the myocardium. Both multi-potent adult stem cells and pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cells have been used to generate vascular cells and cardiac myocytes for therapy (Figure 34.3). A number of clinical studies have explored adult stem cells for their therapeutic potential in treating ischemic heart disease. While ES cells have only been investigated to date in preclinical models, a new clinical study is expected to assess safety of ES cell transplantation (Alper, 2009). In addition to stem cells, adult skeletal muscle cells have also been explored for clinical cardiac cell therapy. Each cell type is briefly reviewed in the context of myocardium regeneration. 

HF due to ischemic heart disease is one of the leading causes of worldwide mortality. While current clinical therapies can improve hemodynamics in HF, currently there is no viable option for replacing damaged cardiac muscle cells. Stem cell transplantation therapy offers tremendous potential to regenerate the myocardium and improve overall quality of life. However, there are several critical challenges with stem cell transplantation such as poor cell retention at the site of transplantation, survival, and eventual functional integration into the diseased tissue. Various natural and synthetic biomaterials have been explored to enhance cell retention and survival in the ischemic myocardium, and ultimately... 

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