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European Heart Journal 1997 18(Supplement D):102-110; doi:10.1093/eurheartj/18.suppl_D.102
Copyright © 1997 by the European Society of Cardiology.
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© 1997 The European Society of Cardiology

Characterization of hibernating and stunned myocardium

G. Heusch and R. Schulz

Abt. für Pathophysiologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen Essen, Germany

Correspondence: Prof. Dr. Gerd Heusch, FESC, FACC, Abteilung für Pathophysiologie, Zentrum für Innere Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstra§e 55, 45122 Essen, Germany

Both the hibernating and the stunned myocardium are characterized by reversible contractile dysfunction. In hibernating myocardium ischaemia is still ongoing, whereas in stunned myocardium blood flow is fully or almost fully restored.

Both the hibernating and the stunned myocardium retain an inotropic reserve. In hibernating myocardium the increase in contractile function is at the expense of metabolic recovery whereas in stunned myocardium no metabolic deterioration occurs during inotropic stimulation. Therefore, inotropic stimulation in combination with metabolic imaging may help not only to identify viable, dysfunctional myocardium but also to distinguish between hibernating and stunned myocardium.

The therapy of hibernating myocardium is to restore blood flow to the hypoperfused tissue. Myocardial stunning per se requires no therapy at all, since by definition blood flow is normal and contractile function will recover spontaneously. If, however, myocardial stunning is severe, involves large parts of the left ventricle and thus impairs global left ventricular function, it can be reversed with inotropic agents and procedures. In the experimental setting, antioxidant agents, calcium antagonists and ACE inhibitors attenuate stunning, most effectively when administered before ischaemia.

Key Words: Myocardial ischaemia • reperfusion • hibernation • stunning


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