Postinfarction left ventricular remodeling: A pathophysiological and therapeutic review

Over the last 50 years, studies investigating the pathogenesis of left vent ricular dysfunction have resulted in many potential therapeutic targets bei ng identified and novel classes of drugs designed to treat this condition. Despite this, the long-term prognosis of patients with clinical heart failu re remains poor with mortality rates equivalent to many terminal malignanci es. This article reviews our present understanding of the pathophysiology of po st-infarction left ventricular dysfunction and provides a rationale for cur rent drug usage, drugs undergoing clinical trials and compounds still under preclinical development. In addition, the complexities involved in deciphe ring intra-cellular signalling pathways mediating ventricular hypertrophy w hich may form the basis of future treatments are also discussed.