Summary
The high mortality rate associated with cardiovascular disease is partially due to
the lack of proliferative cells in the heart. Without adequate repair following myocardial
infarction, progressive dilation can lead to heart failure. Stem cell therapies present
one promising option for treating cardiovascular disease, though the specific mechanisms
by which they benefit the heart remain unclear. Before stem cell therapies can be
used safely in human populations, their biology must be investigated using innovative
technologies such as multi-modality molecular imaging. The present review will discuss
the basic principles, labelling techniques, clinical applications, and drawbacks associated
with four major modalities: radionuclide imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, bioluminescence
imaging, and fluorescence imaging.
Keywords
Stem cells - cell transplantation - imaging - radionuclide - magnetic resonance -
bioluminescence - fluorescence