Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia (Jun 2015)

Reverse Cardiac Remodeling: A Marker of Better Prognosis in Heart Failure

  • José Rosino de Araújo Rocha Reis Filho,
  • Juliano Novaes Cardoso,
  • Cristina Martins dos Reis Cardoso,
  • Antonio Carlos Pereira-Barretto

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5935/abc.20150025
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 104, no. 6
pp. 502 – 506

Abstract

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In heart failure syndrome, myocardial dysfunction causes an increase in neurohormonal activity, which is an adaptive and compensatory mechanism in response to the reduction in cardiac output. Neurohormonal activity is initially stimulated in an attempt to maintain compensation; however, when it remains increased, it contributes to the intensification of clinical manifestations and myocardial damage. Cardiac remodeling comprises changes in ventricular volume as well as the thickness and shape of the myocardial wall. With optimized treatment, such remodeling can be reversed, causing gradual improvement in cardiac function and consequently improved prognosis.

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