Benefits and risks of manipulating the HIF hydroxylase pathway in ischemic heart disease
Bishop T., Ratcliffe PJ.
© 2012 Springer-Verlag London Limited. Ischemic heart disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the Western world. It occurs when oxygen delivery cannot meet the metabolic needs of the heart, as observed in patients with stable coronary artery disease as well as those experiencing acute myocardial infarction. Although conditions leading to myocardial injury have been well studied, and physical means of revascularization by stenting or coronary bypass surgery are well developed, there remains a need to define treatments that limit damage in the acute phase or promote revascularization by medical means. In particular, mechanisms that preserve cellular function during ischemia remain poorly understood.