Journal of Stem Cell Research & Therapy

Abstract

Stem Cell Therapy for Myocardial Infarction: Challenges and Prospects

Gizaw Dabessa Satessa, Jima Likisa Lenjisa, Esayes Taddese Gebremariam and Minyahil Alebachew Woldu

Myocardial infarction causes death worldwide with the greatest incidence being in the United States. Although there have been many advances in myocardial re-perfusion strategies and novel pharmacological approaches, therapies for treating acute and chronic myocardial ischemic damage remain limited. This means that no currently available heart failure treatment has demonstrated an ability to generate new muscle tissue within the scared regions of the heart. Stem cell, however, offers new hope to patients who have otherwise limited choices. Therefore, this review aims at exploring the use and peculiarities of stem cell therapy for myocardial infarction. But the success of stem cell therapy for clinical use needs the validation of several issues ranging from selection of appropriate stem cells, routes of transfer, establishment of conducive trans-differentiation milieu with associated cytokines, means to evaluate/track response to cell therapy to compliance with regulatory and ethical issues besides addressing biological and technical issues surrounding stem cell therapy.