Stem Cell Delivery Techniques for Stroke and Peripheral Artery Disease

Stem cells are a nascent therapy for vascular diseases such as stroke and peripheral artery disease. Cells, like any other pharmaceutic agent, need to be delivered to a target organ with an optimal dose and timing to achieve therapeutic effect. A number of techniques, grouped into local, regional, and systemic approaches, have been used in human trials to deliver a variety of stem cells in both stroke and peripheral artery disease. This chapter reviews stem cell therapy for these two diseases with a focus on delivery methods. Technical details as well as the impact of patient, disease, and cell factors for each approach are discussed. Each method’s merits and pitfalls are explored, highlighting the benefit of a diverse set of delivery options for a diverse population of patients.