title: Reverse remodeling during long-term mechanical unloading of the left ventricle.
abstract: A significant proportion of patients placed on long-term mechanical circulatory support for end-stage heart failure can be weaned from mechanical assistance after functional recovery of their native heart ("bridge to recovery"). The pathophysiological mechanisms implicated in reverse remodeling that cause a sustained functional myocardial recovery have recently become the subject of intensive research, expected to provide information with a view to accurately identify reliable prognostic indicators of recovery. In addition, this kind of information will enable changes in the strategy of myocardial recovery by modifying the duration and scale of the unloading regimen or by combining it with other treatments that promote reverse remodeling.
authors.affiliation: 3rd Cardiology Department, University of Athens School of Medicine, 24 Makedonias, 104 33, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Stavros G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Drakos
authors.forename: John V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Terrovitis
authors.forename: Maria I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Anastasiou-Nana
authors.forename: John N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Nanas
mesh_terms: D005544:Forecasting; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000502:physiology; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling / Q000502:physiology*