Creating a Cardiac Pacemaker by Gene Therapy - Biopacemaking - page 58

11 Conclusion
In conclusion, advances in gene transfer have led to a number of potential strategies
for creation of a biological pacemaker. Refinements in viral vectors will be
paramount, to allow sustained expression and address safety concerns. Moreover,
developments with alternative approaches, such as human mesenchymal stem cells,
may lead to novel means of establishing stable and physiologically responsive sites of
pacemaker activity. While much needs to be done to rival the efficacy of our current
electronic pacemakers, the rapid progress in gene transfer and cellular therapy bring
us all the more closer to biological pacemakers as supplements (and perhaps, in the
future, as replacements) for electronic cardiac pacemakers.
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