Cellular cardiomyoplasty: current state of the field

Cellular cardiomyoplasty employs stem cell therapy to regenerate myocardium. Characterized by their potential for proliferation, differentiation and capacity for self-renewal, stem cells are ideally suited for use in regenerative medicine. Supplementing traditional therapeutic modalities aimed at the palliation of congestive heart failure, cellular cardiomyoplasty is an innovative approach aimed at producing functional, viable myocardium following an acute infarction. The primary focus is to prevent the onset of congestive heart failure; however, potential applications aimed at reversing ischemic heart disease are concurrently in development. After decades of research, cellular cardiomyoplasty has moved beyond traditional in vitro and animal models; it is currently being implemented in clinical trials. Despite this monumental advance, certain limitations remain inherent in this process, preventing stem cell therapy from reaching its full potential. On a cellular level, stem cell retention and viability postimplantation continues to be problematic. Solutions under investigation include pioneering advances in cell delivery, in vitro pretreatment, and tissue engineering. Moreover, questions surrounding optimal cell type and cellular mechanisms concerning cellular cardiomyoplasty remain unanswered. Clarification of these issues is essential to ensure continued progression of this new technology. Stem cell therapy has been highly successful within the in vitro and in vivo environment. However, as clinical trials abound, cellular cardiomyoplasty must transition from an experimental concept to an effective therapeutic treatment. This process is hindered by discordance between scientific accrue and practical applicability. This review will provide a comprehensive summary of current innovations on cellular cardiomyoplasty, and future prospects. There will be a particular emphasis on the clinical aspects of stem cell therapy in an attempt to bridge the gap between science and medicine. Overcoming this barrier will render cellular cardiomyoplasty accessible to patients on a global basis.