ABSTRACT
Introduction Myocardial infarction is a leading cause of mortality in the USA, accounting for approximately 600 deaths per day.1 Nearly 865 000 new and recurrent cases are diagnosed every year, and this number is expected to increase as the baby boomer population ages. Myocardial infarction results in damaged myocardium caused by occlusion of the coronary arteries from thrombus or from atherosclerotic plaque buildup. It can ultimately lead to congestive heart failure, as a result of the remodeling, which compromises survival and quality of life. With the exception of heart transplantation, which is limited by a severe shortage of donors and issues related to rejection, the currently available therapies for coronary artery disease, medication and revascularization, are unable to replace damaged or diseased tissue.
