Cell transplantation for treatment of left-ventricular dysfunction due to ischemic heart failure: from bench to bedside.

Cell transplantation is an innovative technology that involves the implantation of a variety of myogenic and angiogenic cell types. The transplanted cells proliferate and augment left ventricular performance and therein ameliorate the heart failure symptoms. The concept of cell transplantation has followed the footsteps of angiogenesis starting as bench side research. The latter half of the decade saw the transformation of this potential mechanism to a promising therapy for ischemic heart failure. More than 150 patients have been treated with cellular transplantation worldwide. This novel application has the potential to revolutionize alternative therapeutic approaches to management of heart failure.