Mitochondrial centrality in heart failure.

A number of observations have shown that mitochondria are at the center of the pathophysiology of the failing heart and mitochondrial-based oxidative stress (OS), myocardial apoptosis, and cardiac bioenergetic dysfunction are implicated in the progression of heart failure (HF), as shown by both clinical studies and animal models. In this manuscript, we review the body of evidence that multiple defects in mitochondria are central and primary to HF progression. In addition, novel approaches to therapeutic targeting of mitochondrial bioenergetic, biogenic, and signaling abnormalities that can impact HF are discussed.