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Third-party-funded project

Title:
Determinants of global and regional myocardial function post myocardial infarction

Project management at the University of Würzburg:

Participating scientists:

Abstract:
Chronic left heart failure develops slowly together with progressive structural changes of the
heart and hemodynamic and neurohumoral changes. Our research program defines
hemodynamics, analyzes structural changes of the heart and tissue and plasma hormones
and receptors during the development of heart failure. Our focus now is the role of the
renin-angiotensin-system, endothelial factors (NO, Endothelin) and reperfusion post myocardial
infarction in the rat. The time course of the development of heart failure post myocardial
infarction is also studied in patients. The healing process post infarction and its role for
prognosis is a main interest of our recent studies. The effects of agonist and antagonist
of NO, endothelin (ETa and ETb receptors) as well as angiotensin II (AT1 and AT2 receptors)
are currently under investigation. The effect of reperfusion on healing is also being studied.
Knowledge of potential determinants for left ventricular dilatation independent of infarct size,
may result in better prevention of progressive left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure.
Hemodynamic measurements in mice and infarction in mice are established for the study
of transgenic models. The effect of a AT1-receptor blocker is currently being studied in
patients post myocardial infarction.

Key words:
    Myocardial infarction
    function
    heart failure
    endothelial function

Projekt period: from 01.1999 to 12.2001

Funding institution:
DFG ,Granting date: 22.02.1999

Publications:

Links:
University Hospital Würzburg