Hossein Ahmadi Tafti - Research center for advanced technology in cardiovascular medicine, Tehran Heart Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the major cause of mortality andmorbidity worldwide stem cell therapy is an alternative modality in thetreatment of CVD especially ischemic heart disease Although safety andfeasibility of different cell types have been proved in several clinicaltrials, the beneficial outcome is not significant. The most successful resultof stem cell therapy in human has been achieved by cardiac stem cell(CSC), with the improvement of ejection fraction about 10%. Other celltypes in clinical trials led to an average 3-5% beneficial outcome or nopositive effects. New strategies for improving stem cell-based therapy inCVD include:• Preconditioning of stem cells: ischemic induction, application oflow energy shock wave and pharmacologic pretreatment with statin• Enhance engraftment and survival of stem cells• Using growth factors, cytokines, overexpression of CXCR4 andSDF1 for angiogenesis adhesions and engraftment• Genetic modification for increasing cell efficiency• Magnetic cell targeting and ultrasound-mediated improve celldelivery and retention• Application of biomaterials for cell delivery and retention, an O2releasing scaffold for increasing survival and proliferation of stemcells.Extensive works are still required to increase the beneficial effect of stemcell therapy.

Cardiac stem cells; Cardiovascular diseases