[Cell sources for cardiovascular tissue engineering].

Numerous studies have confirmed that stem cell therapy has significant potential for the regeneration of congenital and acquired heart diseases. The utilization of embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells promises a possible generation and regeneration of all cardiovascular structures. On the one hand fetal and adult stem cells, e.g. endothelial progenitors, mesenchymal, hematopoietic, cardiac stem cells and myoblasts, possess limited potential for multilinear differentiation. On the other hand these cells have high paracrin activity and support with well-confirmed safety the reconstruction and formation of cardiovascular structures. On the visionary track towards an autonomously functioning autologous heart generated by tissue engineering, vascular, valvular and myocardial tissues have already been successfully created. This manuscript describes the possible stem cell sources for cardiovascular tissue engineering and evaluates their potency and safety from a medical and ethical point of view employing the data from systematic reviews (Medline database) and own investigations.