ABSTRACT
As patients survive acute myocardial infarction (MI), many are progressing to heart failure, which subsequently has become the most prevalent cardiovascular disease in this century. This high prevalence is due in large part to the inability of the heart to repair damaged or dying cardiomyocytes. At present, the only definitive treatment option for end-stage heart failure is heart transplantation, although 'destination therapies' such as permanently implanted left ventricular assist devices are gaining in prominence.
