[Apoptosis in cardiovascular diseases]

Apoptosis consists of a distinct form of cell death that displays characteristic alterations in cell morphology and cell fate which are different than death due to oncosis or necrosis. In terms of tissue kinetics, apoptosis may be considered a mechanism that counterbalances the effect of cell proliferation by mitotic division. In fact, deregulated apoptosis has been implicated in the development a wide variety of human diseases. Excessive apoptotic cell death may cause organ atrophy and organ failure. On the other hand, insufficient elimination of redundant cells may lead to organ and tissue structural remodeling. In recent years, apoptosis has become a highly fashionable and competitive area of research. Fortunately, it has not escaped the attention of the cardiovascular community. Sightings of apoptosis have been reported from every corner of cardiovascular medicine ranging from conduction system defects to congestive heart failure, and from atherosclerosis to aneurysms. There is no question that these sightings will eventually be converted into mechanistic etiopathogenic and physiopathological insights and will form the basis for designing new diagnostic modalities and novel therapies.