Gene therapy for myocardial infarction–associated
congestive heart failure: how far have we got? |
With the advancement of vectors,
delivery methods, and newly identified
molecular targets, preclinical
studies have shown that gene
transfer is effective in improving
left ventricular contractility and
attenuating deleterious left ventricular
remodeling in myocardial
infarction–associated congestive
heart failure (CHF). We are optimistic
that these favorable effects
will also be seen when tested in
patients with CHF associated with
myocardial infarction, as well as
in patients with CHF from other
etiologies. Gene therapy has the
potential to be tailored to meet the
needs of individual patients. Moreover,
when used in conjunction with
pharmacological and device management
of the patient with CHF, it
provides hope for a brighter future
for the 23 million patients worldwide
with this devastating disease...
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