Adult human heart has limited regenerative capacity, and therefore, functional restoration of the damaged heart presents a great challenge. Despite the progress achieved in the pharmacological and surgical treatment of ischemic myocardial diseases, they are still considered one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in developed countires. Repopulation of the damaged heart with cardiomyocites represents a novel therapeutic paradigm, but is hampered by the lack of human cardiomyocites that would be used for this purpose. The recent derivation of human embryonic stem cell lines, adult stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, unipotent satellite cells, and cardiac resident stem cells may provide a solution for this problem. This thesis will focus on the types of stem cells that can be used for the treatment of infarcted myocardium and their potential sources. The means of stem cells application will be mentioned – intravenous, intracoronary, cell layers and engeneered tissues. Some of the experimental studies will be described, as well as some clinical trials. Potential mechanisms of stem cells contribution to heart regeneration – by differentiation to new cardiomyocites, immunomodulatory effects, or paracrine signalization – will be discussed. Some of the potential clinical complications of this procedure will also be discussed, such as graft rejection, inducton of autoimmune response and tumor formation. Finally, the hurdles and challenges toward fully harnessing the potential clinical applications of these unique cells will be described.