Stem Cells in Cardiovascular Disease

Advances in stem cell biology over the past decade have fueled interest in new therapies for acute and chronic cardiovascular diseases. Pre-clinical work with a variety of cell types has suggested efficacy in improving ischemia and ventricular function, although mechanisms of effect remain to be fully explained. Human studies using certain cell types have shown modest clinical efficacy, while the safety of these experimental therapies supports continuing patient-oriented research.