Therapeutical perspectives for apoptosis modulation in cardiovascular disease

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is an active form of cell death, distinct from necrosis, through which multicellular organisms dispose of cells efficiently. Implication of apoptosis in the initiation and progression of many cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure, systemic hypertension, coronary artery disease, has raised the possibility to elaborate new classes of medication to modulate this process. We review the most important drugs used in cardiovascular diseases and their interference with apoptosis, demonstrated by clinical studies as well as the involved mechanisms. We also analyze new molecules which protect cells from apoptosis and may therefore be clinically useful, as a new class of medication.