Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for ischemic myocardial dysfunction.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Stem cell therapy for the treatment of cardiovascular disease is rapidly moving from bench to bedside. In the settings of acute and chronic myocardial injury, approaches to treatment have explored various cell populations, delivery methods, and times of administration. RECENT FINDINGS: Although initial studies in patients were performed with unfractionated bone marrow cells, further investigations in animal models of myocardial disease have elucidated mechanisms of benefit and opened doors to treatment strategies with stem cells of varied derivation. SUMMARY: Allogeneic stem cell populations have demonstrated therapeutic promise in ischemic heart disease, without a requirement for immunosuppressive drugs, and offer the potential to create large-scale, cryopreserved banks of cells for 'off the shelf' utility.