Myocardial Viability: beyond improvement of function

Several studies have demonstrated that coronary revascularization is likely to improve left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), heart failure symptoms and prognosis predominantly in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and a substantial amount of viable myocardium but not in patients without viability. Some issues about myocardial viability in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy are still unsolved. In particular, why LVEF does not improve after revascularization in all patients with a substantial amount of viable myocardium is unknown. Also, it is unclear whether additional benefits, beyond improvement of LVEF, may be present after revascularization of viable myocardium. These issues were addressed in the present thesis.

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