2015 Jun 30

New search has been performed

The searches from 2011 were re‐run in March 2015.

This is a major update, which includes 41 independent trials. Two trials that were included in the previous version of the review are now excluded since the co‐intervention of G‐CSF was only administered to the intervention arm (Kang 2006; Li 2006). One trial that was previously included is now defined as awaiting classification as this trial did not publish any data that could be incorporated into the analyses (Fernandez‐Pereira 2006).

In this update we have revised the primary and secondary outcomes, which now focus on clinical outcomes as well as the surrogate endpoint of left ventricular ejection fraction. Multiple intervention arm trials are now pooled throughout the review, avoiding double counting of controls. In light of the potential sources of heterogeneity, meta‐analyses using random‐effects models are now performed throughout.

2015 Jun 30

New citation required and conclusions have changed

This update includes 11 new trials and the conclusions of the review have changed. We no longer find evidence of an improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction associated with stem cell therapy. Meta‐analyses of the increased number of trials in this update have failed to find any evidence of differences in clinical outcomes between treatment groups. We conclude that there is insufficient evidence of a beneficial effect of stem cell therapy for acute myocardial infarction patients.

2011 Dec 16

New search has been performed

Addition of 20 new trials identified from search from July 2007 to January 2011. Additional secondary references with long term follow‐up from previously included trials were also identified in this search.

Changes from Meluzin 2006 (LD and HD) to Meluzin 2008 (LD and HD). Meluzin 2008 with long‐term follow‐up data has become the main study. Meluzin 2006 is now considered a substudy

2011 Dec 16

New citation required and conclusions have changed

This is a major update including 33 randomised trials (formerly 13) with changes to the conclusions. Whilst in the previous version of this review there was little evidence to assess the effect of this treatment, the results of this update of the review indicate that the treatment moderately improves heart function and contractility and that this effect is sustained in the long‐term. However, in order to observe significant changes in mortality and morbidity larger numbers of participants would need to be enrolled in such trials and more robust surrogate outcome measures to be agreed and standardised.

2008 Sep 15

Amended

Amendment to the order of authors in byline

2017 May 10

Amended

Converted to new review format.