The Cardiac Microvasculature in Hypertension, Cardiac Hypertrophy and Diastolic Heart Failure

Title: The Cardiac Microvasculature in Hypertension, Cardiac Hypertrophy and Diastolic Heart Failure

Volume: 6 Issue: 4

Author(s): Michel R. Hoenig, Cesario Bianchi, Anthony Rosenzweig and Frank W. Sellke

Affiliation:

Keywords: Endothelial progenitor cell, angiogenesis, neovascularization, hypoxia inducible factor, heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, microvasculature

Abstract: Recent studies revealed an exceedingly high mortality with diastolic heart failure that was previously regarded as relatively benign compared to systolic heart failure. Prominent risk factors for diastolic heart failure are increasing age, hypertension and diabetes. These risk factors are associated with coronary microvascular rarefaction and resultant decreased coronary flow reserve, thereby rendering the myocardium vulnerable to ischemia. We discuss the importance of angiogenic gene programming in preserving the coronary microvasculature, preserving cardiac function and altering disease course. Further, we discuss the possible utility of therapies that activate hypoxia inducible factor-1 in preventing rarefaction of the coronary microvasculature and maintaining cardiac diastolic function.

Cite this article as:

Hoenig R. Michel, Bianchi Cesario, Rosenzweig Anthony and Sellke W. Frank, The Cardiac Microvasculature in Hypertension, Cardiac Hypertrophy and Diastolic Heart Failure, Current Vascular Pharmacology 2008; 6 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157016108785909779