The use of stem cells in heart disease

ABSTRACT

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that are capable of both self-renewal and giving rise to several cell types. Cardiovascular disease is the most important cause of death in westerns society and, in spite of therapeutic advances in traditional medicine, it has not been possible to recover the original cardiac function. Similarly, Chagas' disease is an important cause of heart failure in Latin America. The differentiation capacity of stem cells makes them an important source of cells for the regeration of cardiac tissue. Research using animal models of myocardial infarction has shown promissing results for the use of stem cells in heart disease therapy. Recent clinical trials have shown the safety and benefit of therapy with stem cells in cardiac regeneration. Research in this field is still in the early stages and needs to be consolidated to permit wider use of stem cells in clinical medicine. Nevertheless, cell therapy has been shown to have potential as a new approach in the treatment of heart disease, which takes the lives of millions people around the world.