Cardiomyocyte ageing and cardioprotection: Consensus Document from the ESC Working Groups Cell Biology of the Heart and Myocardial Function

Advanced age is a major predisposing risk factor for the incidence of coronary syndromes and co-morbid conditions which impact the heart response to cardioprotective interventions. Advanced age also significantly increases the risk of developing post-ischemic adverse remodeling and heart failure after ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury. Some of the signaling pathways become defective or attenuated during ageing, whereas others with well-known detrimental consequences, like glycoxidation or proinflammatory pathways, are exacerbated. The causative mechanisms responsible for all these changes are yet to be elucidated and are a matter of active research. Here, we review the current knowledge about the pathophysiology of cardiac ageing that eventually impacts on the increased susceptibility of cells to IR injury and can affect the efficiency of cardioprotective strategies.