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Progressive ventricular remodeling in rat with myocardial infarction
J M Pfeffer1, M A Pfeffer, P J Fletcher
1Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
The American Journal of Physiology
|May 1, 1991
Summary
Left ventricular (LV) remodeling and dilatation after myocardial infarction vary with infarct size. LV dilatation occurs in all infarcts, but progressive enlargement and decreased stiffness are prominent in larger infarcts during the late phase.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Cardiac Remodeling
- Myocardial Infarction
Background:
- Ventricular dilatation has prognostic implications for patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction.
- Understanding LV remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) is crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the remodeling and dilatation of the rat left ventricle after myocardial infarction.
- To characterize changes in passive pressure-volume relationships, chamber stiffness, and mass over time and with varying infarct sizes.
Main Methods:
- Assessment of passive pressure-volume relationships, chamber stiffness constants, and LV mass in rats post-myocardial infarction.
- Evaluation during both early and late post-infarction phases across different infarct sizes.
Main Results:
- LV dilatation occurred in all infarct groups, with extent varying by infarct size and duration.
- LV chamber stiffness decreased significantly in the late phase for moderate and large infarcts, correlating with ventricular enlargement.
- Volume-to-mass ratio alterations were most pronounced in large infarcts during the late phase.
Conclusions:
- Left ventricular remodeling and dilatation post-myocardial infarction are dependent on infarct size.
- Progressive LV enlargement and reduced chamber stiffness are characteristic of larger infarcts in the late post-infarction phase.