Clinical pathophysiology of hibernating myocardium

Our current knowledge of the pathophysiology of chronic hibernating myocard ium is mainly based on results from clinical studies, because of the absenc e of appropriate and validated animal models. These clinical observations h ave given rise to two major controversies: the role of reduced blood flow a nd that of histological changes in the hibernating segments. In this review , these two subjects will be briefly discussed, and put into the perspectiv e of findings emerging from recently developed animal models. Coron Artery Dis 12:381-385 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.