Comparative Long-Term Outcomes of Cell Therapy and Cardiac Rehabilitation in the Treatment of Non-ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

This systematic review explores long-term treatment approaches for non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, comparing cell therapy and cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiomyopathy is characterized by the progressive thinning and deterioration of cardiac muscle and is a significant cause of heart failure. Various treatment modalities have been developed to combat cardiomyopathy and prevent the onset of heart failure, with more recent efforts focusing on cell therapy—particularly allogeneic and autologous stem cell transplants. The efficacy of these novel treatments was compared to more established regimens, particularly cardiac rehabilitation. Studies demonstrate that both treatment modalities are associated with a significant overall improvement in ejection fraction (effect size = 1.12). The findings overall suggest that a combined treatment strategy—incorporating cardiac rehabilitation, cell therapy, as well as conventional pharmacologic management—may offer mortality benefits and increase myocardial function over the long term.