Preventing adverse remodeling and rupture during healing after myocardial infarction in mice and humans.

Adverse ventricular remodeling during the healing phase after acute myocardial infarction (MI) continues to be an important problem that impacts adult cardiology practice. Most clinicians and cardiovascular researchers recognize that significant left ventricular (LV) remodeling occurs during infarct healing, and optimal healing is critical for survival with a favorable outcome. Over the last 3 decades, several laboratories have been actively searching for specific molecular targets that may lead to the development of therapies and strategies to optimize postinfarct healing, prevent adverse remodeling, and improve clinical outcome. Others search for markers of adverse LV remodeling so as to identify high-risk patients for therapy. However, specific therapy to optimize healing and prevent adverse post-MI remodeling is currently lacking. Optimal medical therapy after MI may not be so optimal yet. Hearts continue to enlarge after MI, and heart failure is a growing burden.