Ventricular remodeling. Mechanisms and prevention.

The changes that take place in the structure and form of the left ventricle have become closely related to increase in clinical events in patients with heart failure. These changes are included in the term remodeling and occur as a response to the initial loss of left ventricular muscle mass. The mechanisms that initiate and maintain this remodeling process have become of great importance since a variety of effective pharmacologic agents have become available. A more complete understanding of remodeling has the potential of preventing the progression of heart failure. This article considers the various aspects of left ventricular remodeling including the cardiomyocytes, the myocardial interstitium, the importance that apoptosis plays the remodeling process.