Stem cell therapy in acute myocardial infarction

Therapeutic successes in the area of stem cell research have opened up many new avenues for treating cardiovascular diseases, especially with respect to the prevention of the development of cardiac failure due to acute myocardial infarction or chronic coronary artery disease. Currently, the delivery of bone marrow-derived stem cells and circulating progenitor cells via the coronary artery, intravenous, the left ventricle (transendocardial) as well as directly into the heart muscle during cardiac bypass surgery (intramyocardial) is being investigated intensively for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction and chronic coronary artery disease. All application modes pursue the same objective of regenerating damaged myocardium. In clinical studies, the concept of myocardial regeneration by injection of adult autologous stem cells or circulating progenitor cells has been transferred. In the majority of controlled and randomised trials as well as in several meta-analysis the therapeutic impact of intracoronary stem cell application in myocardial infarction is affirmed by a beneficial effect of stem cells or progenitor cells on mortality and morbidity in patients with reduced cardiac function after acute myocardial infarction.