Intramyocardial bone marrow stem cell treatment for myocardial regeneration

Transplantation of stem cells has been shown by substantial experimental evidence as well as by initial clinical studies to improve cardiac function in patients with post-infarction myocardial injury. Both angiogenic and myogenic properties of bone-marrow-derived stem cells have been evidenced to be involved in its beneficial effect on heart function after transplantation into area of ischaemic injury. This paper summarizes the current knowledge on the mechanisms involved in regenerative potential of bone-marrow-derived stem cells, with special attention to the clinical experience with cell transplantation during cardiac surgery.