Cardiac Regeneration with Stem Cells

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A huge effort has been made to improve current standard approaches for treating patients with ischemic heart disease. However, despite the greater efficacy of new drugs and clinical techniques, which have decreased the number of acute patients and prolonged the life of chronic ones, the classic treatments are still not able to regenerate the diseased heart. For this reason, alternative therapies based on the use of gene, protein, and stem cells have been developed in combination with bioengineering techniques, with the aim not only of protecting but also repairing the damaged heart. All these new therapies, especially stem cell therapy and the possibility of combining these cells with biomaterials in order to reinforce their potential or even create new tissues, are reviewed in this chapter. Abbreviations AAVAdeno-associated virus ADSC

CHAPTER 4. Growth Factor Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases

“…Besides, matrix protein deposition and scar formation become evident constituting a maladaptive response leading to contractile dysfunction, arrhythmias and heart failure (HF). [4][5][6] Percutaneous coronary intervention practice facilitates rapid relief of acute occlusion and pharmacological treatment constitutes the standard therapy but both could lead to HF and a posterior transplant requirement. 5,7 The application of regenerative therapies aim at preserving or restoring lost myocardial function which promotes long-term survival.…”