While currently available therapeutic options for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction are sufficient for the treatment of symptoms, the underlying causes usually remain unresolved, being loss of electrically active, contractile, myocardial tissue. Recently, extensive research has been performed in the field of cell and gene therapy. The ultimate aim of these therapies is to __heal__ the infarcted area on a more biological basis, by repopulating the damaged area with __new__ cells that contribute to proper cardiac function, including electrical activation of the myocardium. In order to comprehend the potential therapeutic value and hazard of cell modification and transplantation for ischemic heart diseases, one should consider the heart as a highly integrative, electromechanical organ. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to explore, from a mechanistic and electrophysiological point of view, the integrative and functional aspects of cell modification and transplantation as therapeutic options to cure the damaged, ischemic heart.UBL - phd migration 201
