Stem cell therapy for cardiovascular diseases: Mechanisms, challenges, and therapeutic prospects

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of global mortality. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising branch of regenerative medicine, offering innovative avenues for repairing damaged myocardial tissue. This therapy utilizes cardiac progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells to promote healing via paracrine signaling, immunomodulation, and direct differentiation into cardiac cells. The therapeutic potential lies in restoring cardiac function, especially post-myocardial infarction, by reducing fibrosis and enhancing angiogenesis. However, clinical applications are limited by challenges such as poor cell retention, immune rejection, and risks of arrhythmias or tumor formation. This review explores the latest advances in stem cell-based cardiac therapies, their mechanisms of action, delivery strategies, and limitations, offering a comprehensive perspective on future directions in cardiovascular regenerative medicine.