Gene interventions in the beta-adrenergic system for treating heart failure.

Cardiovascular disease accounts for nearly 40% of all deaths annually in this country. Prevention management and advances in medical treatments have dramatically reduced the overall mortality rate due to heart disease. However, death due to chronic heart failure (HF) continues to rise, and effective therapy, particularly for end-stage HF, has been elusive. The myocardial beta-adrenergic receptor (betaAR) system is critical not only in chronic HF but also in acute settings where cardiac function is compromised. Adding to its importance is the fact that drugs that act by altering betaAR signal transduction are at the forefront of conventional HF therapeutic strategies. Accordingly, the ability to genetically manipulate betaAR signaling in the heart is of great interest since it may provide unique inotropic support and improve existing therapeutic strategies for HF.