In Vitro Assessment of Rat Heart Force Generation: A Quantitative Approach for Predicting Outcomes From Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Therapy for Myocardial Infarction

Five million Americans currently suffer from heart failure, with 550,000 new cases diagnosed each year. The most common cause of heart failure is ischemic heart disease with an episode of acute myocardial infarction. Prognosis is poor with an annual mortality rate of 40% the first year, and 10% thereafter. Unfortunately, there is currently no medical therapy to stop or reverse the advancement of heart failure.