While existing remedies failed to fully address the consequences of heart failure, stem cell therapy has been introduced as a promising approach. The present review is a comprehensive appraisal of the impacts of using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in clinical trials mainly conducted on ischemic cardiomyopathy. The benefits of MSC therapy for dysfunctional myocardium are likely attributed to numerous secreted paracrine factors and immunomodulatory effects. The positive outcomes associated with MSC therapy are scar size reduction, reverse remodeling, and angiogenesis. Also, a decreasing in the level of chronic inflammatory markers of heart failure progression like TNF-α is observed. The intense inflammatory reaction in the injured myocardial micro-environment predicts a poor response of scar tissue to MSC therapy. Subsequently, the interval delay between myocardial injury and MSC therapy is not yet determined. The optimal requested dose of cells ranges between 100 to 150 million cells. Allogenic MSCs have different advantages compared to autogenic cells and intra-myocardial injection is the preferred delivery route. The safety and efficacy of MSCs-based therapy have been confirmed in numerous studies, however several undefined parameters like route of administration, optimal timing, source of stem cells, and necessary dose are limiting the routine use of MSCs therapeutic approach in clinical practice. Lastly, pre-conditioning of MSCs and using of exosomes mediated MSCs or genetically modified MSCs may improve the overall therapeutic effect. Future prospective studies establishing a constant procedure for MSCs transplantation are required in order to apply MSC therapy in our daily clinical practice and subsequently improving the overall prognosis of ischemic heart failure patients.

Coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) is a clinical entity defined by a focal enlargement of the coronary artery exceeding the 1.5-fold diameter of the adjacent normal segment. Atherosclerosis is the main cause in adults and Kawasaki disease in children. CAA is a silent progressive disorder incidentally detected by coronary angiography, but it may end with fatal complications such as rupture, compression of adjacent cardiopulmonary structures, thrombus formation and distal embolization. The pathophysiological mechanisms are not well understood. Atherosclerosis, proteolytic imbalance and inflammatory reaction are involved in aneurysmal formation. Data from previously published studies are scarce and controversial, thereby the management of CAA is individualized depending on clinical presentation, CAA characteristics, patient profile and physician experience. Multiple therapeutic approaches including medical treatment, covered stent angioplasty, coil insertion and surgery were described. Herein, we provide an up-to-date systematic review on the pathophysiology, complications and management of CAA.

CD34+ cells are multipotent hematopoietic stem cells also known as endothelial progenitor cells and are useful in regenerative medicine. Naturally, these cells are mobilized from the bone marrow into peripheral circulation in response to ischemic tissue injury. CD34+ cells are known for their high proliferative and differentiation capacities that play a crucial role in the repair process of myocardial damage. They have an important paracrine activity in secreting factors to stimulate vasculogenesis, reduce endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes apoptosis, remodel extracellular matrix and activate additional progenitor cells. Once they migrate to the target site, they enhance angiogenesis, neovascularization and tissue regeneration. Several trials have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of CD34+ cell therapy in different settings, such as peripheral limb ischemia, stroke and cardiovascular disease. Herein, we review the potential utility of CD34+ cell transplantation in acute myocardial infarction, refractory angina and ischemic heart failure.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is a clinical condition of transient acute heart failure correlated to regional wall motion abnormalities extending beyond the distribution of a single epicardial coronary artery. It is classified into four major types: apical, basal, mid-ventricular and focal. Sympathetic nerve stimulation and catecholamine storm are the main players in the pathogenesis of TTC. The clinical course of disease is generally benign but it may end with life-threatening complications. Coronary angiography, left ventriculogram, transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) are the main tools for making diagnosis. Except for critical cases with hemodynamic instability and/or complications, the overall management is limited to conventional heart failure therapy.

Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the setting of cardiovascular disease, such as heart failure, cardiomyopathy and ischemic heart disease, has been associated with good clinical outcomes in several trials. A reduction in left ventricular remodeling, myocardial fibrosis and scar size, an improvement in endothelial dysfunction and prolonged cardiomyocytes survival were reported. The regenerative capacity, in addition to the pro-angiogenic, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects represent the main target properties of these cells. Herein, we review the different preconditioning methods of MSCs (hypoxia, chemical and pharmacological agents) and the novel approaches (genetically modified MSCs, MSC-derived exosomes and engineered cardiac patches) suggested to optimize the efficacy of MSC therapy.

Objective Left anterior descending Myocardial Bridge (LADMB) is considered a benign condition and actually becomes a forgotten cause of serious cardiac events. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of LADMB and its association to atherosclerosis. Methods An observational retrospective study was conducted on patients referred for coronary angiography between June 2012 and June 2020. Coronary angiography database was revisedand studied population was divided into 2 groups: LADMB group versus Non-LADMB group. Results LADMB was detected in 510 patients out of 35813 included in the study resulting in a prevalence at 1.42%. The mean age was 66.5 years. Male gender was more common than female (70vs30%). The prevalence of significant atherosclerotic LAD disease was more than two times higher in the non-LADMB group compared to the LADMB group. Statistical analysis revealed a significant negative association between LADMB and atherosclerosis (p < 0.001). A significant greater rate of MINOCA cases was observed in acute coronary syndrome LADMB patients. Conclusions LADMB is an inborn anatomic variation associated to atherosclerotic risk reduction in LAD. Physicians must be aware about the potential complications and pay attention to those classified at high risk for cardiovascular events.

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Background Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is a common disorder characterized by the presence of clinical criteria for acute myocardial infarction in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease on angiography. We aim to investigate the relationship between myocardial bridging (MB) and MINOCA. Methods and results An observational retrospective study was conducted on 15 036 patients who had been referred for coronary angiography and who fulfilled the Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction. The study population was divided into ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients, from which we defined two main groups: the MINOCA group and the coronary artery disease (CAD) group. Statistical analyses were carried out by using SPSS, version 20. The prevalence of angiographic MB among the groups was significantly greater in the MINOCA group (2.9% vs. 0.8%). MINOCA accounted for 14.5% of spontaneous myocardial infarction, and the clinical presentation was more frequently NSTEMI rather than STEMI (84.3% vs. 15.7%). After adjusting for confounders, multivariate analyses showed a positive association between MB and MINOCA [odds ratio = 3.28, 95% CI (2.34; 4.61) P &lt; 0.001]. Cardiovascular risk factors were less common in the MINOCA population, which was younger and more often female. Conclusion MB is a risk factor for MINOCA. Because MB prevalence differed significantly between the controls (CAD group) and cases (MINOCA group), which were positively associated to MB, it seems likely that MB would be a potential cause of MINOCA. Investigations for MB in MINOCA cases and especially in NSTEMI patients seem necessary.