Abstract
Despite substantial advances in the development of medical and interventional strategies in ischemic and non-ischemic heart diseases, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Stem cell therapy for heart disease has gained traction over the past two decades and is an emerging option for the treatment of myocardial dysfunction. In this review, we summarize the current literature on different types of stem cells and their potential usage in ischemic and non-ischemic heart diseases. We emphasize the clinical utility of stem cells to improve myocardial structural and function, promote microvascular angiogenesis, and diminish scar size and major adverse cardiovascular events. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of microvesicles, such as exosomes, in the treatment of CVDs, which may open novel avenues for further clinical studies.