Mesenchymal stem cells as a promising tool in the therapy of cardiac diseases

Several studies have examined therapeutic potential of autologous and allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. In a phase I clinical study, 53 patients were randomized to receive either allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells or placebo, 7 to 10 days after myocardial infarction. An improvement of overall clinical status was noticed 6 months after intravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cells. Chen and colleagues administered autologous mesenchymal stem cells intra-coronary in patients with subacute myocardial infarction and observed decreased perfusion defect, improved left ventricular ejection  fraction, and left ventricular remodeling 3 months after therapy.