Ventricular restoration--a surgical approach to reverse ventricular remodeling.

Congestive heart failure is most often caused by scar from coronary occlusion. The transition from occluded vessel to scar to dilation results in a remodeled ventricle that changes shape from ellipse to sphere. This shape change following an index event is called remodeling and a surgical approach for restoration (bring back to normal) will be described that uses the patient's own tissue, rather than employing heart replacement by mechanical devices or transplantation. The surgical restoration approach was taken by the RESTORE group that comprises an international medical and surgical team that will report (a) the remodeling infrastructure, role of compensatory remote muscle, and factors underlying surgical restoration decisions, (b) structural basis for ventricular geometric changes and surgical background for restoration, (c) individual rebuilding experience in 1150 patients over 20 years from one center, (d) integrated 5 year results from the RESTORE team in 1198 patients, (e) electrical aspects of restoration in 382 patients with only one AICD used, (f) how restoration improves mechanical synchrony without electrical devices, (g) geometric reasons for secondary mitral insufficiency and impact of adding mitral repair during SVR procedures, and (h) importance of defining site specific scar in no ischemic disease to identify a similar trigger lesion in non ischemic cardiomyopathy. The importance of a team approach by the RESTORE group may set the benchmark for collaborative world wide groups, and thereby depart from traditional focal approaches by individual disciplines.