Left ventricular remodeling or restoration for congestive heart failure.

Large numbers of people have anterior myocardial infarctions, many in mid-life, with progressive left ventricular dilatation and heart failure with diminished life expectancy. Myocardial revascularization alone helps ischemia, but does little in cases of large ventricular volume, which is the major determinant of post infarction mortality. Ventricular restoration results in immediate improvement in size and function and when added to revascularization, has markedly improved survival and freedom from congestive heart failure. When coronary bypass is being considered after anterior infarction or in patients with reduced ventricular function, MRI to determine function and viability is recommended. Then a valid, informed judgment can be made about patch reconstruction of the left ventricle.