Clinical aspects of hibernating myocardium

Abstract

Hibernating myocardium is a condition that is characterized by persistently impaired myocardial and left ventricular function at rest resulting from reduced myocardial blood flow. It is a result of adaptation or from downregulation. It may occur in unstable and chronic stable angina, acute myocardial infarction, and LV dysfunction and congestive heart failure. Recovery of the hibernating myocardium has clearly been shown to occur by successful revascularization either by coronary bypass surgery or by percutaneous catheter techniques.