From pediatrics to geriatrics: Mechanisms of heart failure across the life-course

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is a significant public health problem and a disease with high 5-year mortality. Although age is the primary risk factor for development of HF, it is a disease which impacts patients of all ages. Historically, HF has been studied as a one-size fits all strategy- with the majority of both clinical and basic science investigations employing adult male subjects or adult male pre-clinical animal models. We postulate that inclusion of biological variables in HF studies is necessary to improve our understanding of mechanisms of HF and improve outcomes. In this review, we will discuss age-specific differences in HF patients, particularly focusing on the pediatric and geriatric age groups. In addition, we will also discuss the biological variable of sex. Characterizing and understanding the mechanistic differences in these distinct HF populations can provide insights that will benefit and personalize therapeutic interventions. Further, we propose that future investigations into the cellular mechanisms involved in the developing and juvenile heart may provide valuable insights for targets that would be beneficial in aging patients.