Gene therapy for the treatment of cardiovascular disease

Although still experimental at the present time, gene therapy for the treatment of cardiovascular disease is on the horizon. Numerous clinical trials in patients with flow-limiting coronary artery disease are in progress. In order to keep up with advances in gene therapy, critical care nurses must develop a background in this discipline. This challenge rests in the hands of nursing educators to incorporate a sufficient amount of genetic content into the curriculum. Genetics in the curriculum is essential because it is the central science of health care. Genetic discoveries are changing our understanding of the mechanisms of disease and the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cardiovascular disease in particular. Gene therapy is likely to influence our daily nursing practice, and nurses must have an adequate knowledge of genetics to provide accurate information to patients and families so that they can make informed decisions about their health care.