Targeting survival signaling in heart failure.

Accumulating evidence suggests that apoptosis is not only a common feature of diverse forms of heart failure but also contributes to disease pathogenesis and progression. This contribution of apoptotic signaling to heart failure could reflect not only loss of cardiomyocytes but also dysfunction of surviving cells. The convergence of signaling mechanisms controlling both cardiomyocyte survival and function provides an opportunity for therapeutic strategies that target these pathways. However, significant hurdles must be overcome before the clinical application of these insights becomes possible.