Is stem cell therapy proarrhythmic? Stem Cell Therapy Is Proarrhythmic

Stem cell therapy appears to be a promising modality for myocardial repair of both hearts that are post myocardial infarction (MI) and those with other forms of structural cardiac disease (eg, congestive heart failure). In fact, recent experimental and clinical work has suggested that stem cell therapy contributes to cardiac regeneration. Unfortunately at this time, we contend that stem cell therapy is proarrhythmic. Accordingly, in this review we will approach this subject by restating this potential in the framework of traditional mechanisms of arrhythmias (automaticity and reentry). Lastly, we will address recent clinical work with stem cells, commenting on the proarrhythmic outcomes.