Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, affecting hundreds of millions of people and placing a significant burden on patients, families, and healthcare systems. For many patients who survive a heart attack, recovery is only the beginning. Structural and functional changes in the heart can drive progression to heart failure, a chronic condition that remains a leading cause of long-term morbidity and mortality.
For decades, stem cell therapy has offered a compelling vision of cardiac repair. Clinical trials have shown variable and often modest functional improvements, but consistent myocardial regeneration has not been demonstrated. Despite this promise, stem cell therapy has not become the "standard of care."
