Following injury due to many causes, heart muscle cells fail to repair themselves. (as shortly after birth these cells lose their capacity to self replicate)
This is one of the major causes of heart failure which currently constitutes a major epidemic worldwide. Multiple strategies are being used at the Magdi Yacoub Institute to address this problem. These include the use of several types of stem cells derived from human fatty tissue, (adipose derived Progenitor cells) or cells from the skin and other tissues. (Induced pluripotent cells)
Also being investigated is the heart's own ability to repair itself and recover function through the use of combination therapy, consisting of left ventricular assist device and pharmacological therapy.
