Models versus established knowledge in describing the functional morphology of the ventricular myocardium.
The myocytes comprising the ventricular mass are arranged so as to function in antagonistic fashion, the walls having the capacity to generate both constrictive and dilatory forces. This dualistic activity is organized on the basis of a site-specific morphologic pattern, permitting marked regional specificity for mural motion and providing a target for regional therapy. Diseased regions can be removed surgically without danger of jeopardizing the remaining healthy mural segments. The sensitivity of the intruding population of myocytes to positive and negative inotropic medication is markedly more pronounced than that of the prevailing tangentially aligned myocytes. This asymmetrical action of inotropes in the setting of global ventricular imbalance promotes the potential to restore constrictive as opposed to dilatory actions.
Lunkenheimer
Paul P
PP
University of Münster, Münster, Germany. lunkenhe@uni-muenster.de
Redmann
Klaus
K
Niederer
Peter
P
Schmid
Peter
P
Smerup
Morten
M
Stypmann
Jörg
J
Däbritz
Sabine
S
Rothaus
Kai
K
Anderson
Robert H
RH
D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D032342:Muscle Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D009206:Myocardium; D016276:Ventricular Function