THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF MYOCARDIAL-ISCHEMIA

In this review paper on the pathophysiology of myocardial ischaemia, t he recent concepts of the ischaemic cascade, as well as the concepts o f stunning and hibernating myocardium, are discussed. It is clear that painful ischaemia is the final phenomenon in the ischaemic cascade an d that it is preceded by biochemical disturbances, diastolic and systo lic dysfunction and electrocardiographic abnormalities. Silent ischaem ia remains a difficult research field.