Biological background and preclinical experiments support the concept of stem cell-based myocardial regeneration and repair. According to Dr. Francisco Fernandez-Avilés bone marrow mononuclear cells prevent postinfarction left ventricular dysfunction, but cell effect on chronic dysfunction is modest. Available cells do not and will not play any role when extensive myocardial scar is present.
In his conclusions, the speaker suggested that the combined us of high selective plasticity stem cells and tissue engineering could solve this problem. Decellularization of cadaveric whole human hearts is feasible and yields a biocompatible scaffold with intact three-dimensional architecture and preserved mechanical properties. These findings represent a first step toward manufacture of human perfusionable heart grafts and open the door for other complex human organ engineering.