Apoptosis in hypertensive heart disease: a clinical approach.
OBJECTIVE
It is widely accepted that there are two principal forms of cell death, namely, necrosis and apoptosis. According to the classical view, necrosis is the major mechanism of cardiomyocyte death in cardiac diseases.


BACKGROUND
In the past few years observations have been made showing that cardiomyocyte apoptosis occurs in diverse conditions including hypertensive heart disease, and that apoptosis may be a contributing cause of loss and functional abnormalities of cardiomyocytes in this condition.


CONCLUSIONS
This review will summarize recent evidence demonstrating the potential contribution of cardiomyocyte apoptosis to heart failure in hypertensive patients. In addition, some strategies aimed to detect and prevent apoptosis of cardiomyocytes will be considered.
González
Arantxa
A
Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Centre for Applied Medical Research, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
Ravassa
Susana
S
López
Begoña
B
Loperena
Iñigo
I
Querejeta
Ramón
R
Díez
Javier
J
D017209:Apoptosis; D002470:Cell Survival; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac; D009336:Necrosis