Stem Cell Treatment for Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Review of Recent Scientific Advances

Cardiomyopathy, a disorder of mechanical and electrical cardiac action, is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and is seen in both adult and pediatric populations. Dilated cardiomyopathy, a subtype involving pathological enlargement of the heart, in particular causes significant reduction in quality of life and is a significant risk factor for heart failure development. Traditional treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy largely focuses on symptomatic relief and delayed progression of disease but does not offer a cure or reversal of disease process. In the past few decades, stem cell therapy has become a promising therapeutic because these cells can differentiate into human cardiomyocytes and offer a potential restoration of normal cardiomyocyte function. This review highlights 3 methodological derivations of cardiomyocytes: bone marrow–derived hematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and adipose-derived stem cells. While most of the current research has focused on hematopoietic stem cells for dilated cardiomyopathy, further research is needed to elucidate which stem cell line is superior and most effective for disease treatment and reversal. This review highlights future directions of this line of research, such as direct comparison between cell types, analysis of the long-term effects of stem cell treatment, increased sample sizes, and potential use of this treatment in the pediatric and adult populations.