Abstract

Background: Apoptosis is a common feature of the cardiomyopathic process contriuting to progressive decline in ventricular function after transmural myocardial infarction. We hypothesized that left ventricular aneurysm repair (LVAR) down-regulates apoptotic potential of cardiomyocytes in the surviving myocardium. Methods: In the rat infarct model, LV aneurysms were repaired by pursestring suture 2 weeks after coronary artery ligation. Cardiac function and myocardial infarction size were assessed by echocardiography and transverse heart sections, respectively, before sacrifice 12 weeks later. Cardiomyocytes and TdT-mediated dUTP terminal nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assays of apoptotic nuclei were analyzed adjacent to and remote from the aneurysm (8 in infarction group, 7 in aneurysm group, and 11 in repair group). Biochemical samples for immunoblot were also obtained from surviving myocardium. Results: A statistically significant increase in apoptotic rate was seen in both adjacent and remote areas (p <0.01) after aneurysm formation. After LVAR, heart function was improved, and TUNEL assays also show significant decrease when compared with aneurysm group. But significant decreases were noted only in activated caspase-9 and increases in Bcl-2 in immunoblot analysis when comparing repair group with aneurysm group. Conclusions: Down-regulation of apoptosis accounts for the change in the long-term benefit after LVAR. To prevent heart failure, LVAR is indicated when it is large enough, and the infarction area should be excluded as much as possible.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1279-1287
Number of pages9
JournalAnnals of Thoracic Surgery
Volume84
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Surgery

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