Acceptance of gene therapy by the heart surgery patient

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the attitude of cardiac surgery patients towards gene therapeutic approaches to heart disease.

One hundred and fifty patients having undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (n=97), valvular operations (n=40) or combined procedures (n=13) were personally interviewed prior to discharge using a self designed questionnaire.

Seventeen percent of the surveyed patients were unable to complete the interview because of total non-understanding of the topic. Of the remaining patients, 33% could basically define the term 'gene'. After explanation of gene therapy principles 70% believed that gene therapy protocols had already been started clinically. Fifty-two percent would accept enrollment in a clinical trial (85% in cases of otherwise incurable disease). If clinical gene transfer would be carried out 73% of patients would accept adenovirus as a vector, 94 and 80%, respectively, would accept catheter-based intervention or surgery for performance of gene therapy. Fifty-four percent would agree to a prophylactic gene therapy protocol.

We conclude that the general attitude of heart surgery patients regarding gene therapy is positive. A considerable number of patients are unable to understand the basic principles of gene therapy. These data can be useful for planning of clinical gene therapy trials and show potential difficulties in obtaining informed consent.