A process using human stem cells can generate the cells that cover the external surface of a human heart -- epicardium cells -- according to a multidisciplinary team of researchers.

In both cases, endocardium and epicardium appeared to be involved in the inflammatory process, although less extensively than the myocardium. This has been shown by others in similar cases.

While the recovery of functional myocardium is critical in heart failure, the regeneration and physiological integration of other cell types are also essential to restoring full cardiac functionality.

The formation of the heart depends on critical signals exchanged between its two main layers: the myocardium (the muscle that powers the heartbeat) and the endocardium (the inner lining of the heart).