A wide range of stem/progenitor cell types have been used for the regeneration of the infarcted heart. This review details the current status of progress concerning different strategies that have been used to manipulate cardiomyocyte cell growth in vitro, for their use in heart failure. The current status of this field involves different types of regenerating cells. Embryonic stem (ES) cells, hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells, and resident cardiac "stem" cells are discussed here.