Stem Cell Engraftment and Survival in the Ischemic Heart

Cellular therapy has emerged as a potentially novel treatment for severe ischemic heart disease, and there is increasing evidence that stem cell transplantation may improve the perfusion and contractile function of ischemic myocardium. However, the problem of poor donor cell engraftment and survival in ischemic myocardium limits the successful use of cellular therapy for treating ischemic heart disease. This review discusses the state-of-the-art understanding of the low level of cell engraftment and cell survival after transplantation into the ischemic heart, with a focus on the approaches that have been investigated for supporting and improving the survival and engraftment of transplanted cells in this setting. (Ann Thorac Surg 2011;92:1917-25) (C) 2011 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons