The mortality rates associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have significantly decreased over the past 2 decades. Beginning first with thrombolytic therapy for AMI, and more recently with growing acceptance and availability of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation AMI, the mortality rates of this devastating ischemic event have decreased from almost 15% in clinical trials in the late 1980's to <5% in recent primary percutaneous coronary intervention trials. Though AMI-related mortality has been reduced, AMI survival is often accompanied by significant loss of function that may lead to subsequent treatments, congestive heart failure (CHF) and reduction in quality of life. A cell therapy that could reduce the damage associated with AMI and positively affect heart function would provide substantial benefits to the AMI patient.