Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the
western world in particularly in the elderly and as medical and revascularization
therapy is improving and life expectancy is increasing, the number of patients
having ischemic heart disease is expected to increase. Chronic ischemic heart
disease may be associated with depressed left ventricular function due to a state
called ‘hibernation” or “sleeping” myocardium or scarred myocardium. Scarred
myocardium will not improve after revascularization therapy but hibernating
myocardium may recover after restoration of myocardial blood flow. The time
of blood flow obstruction and the extent of myocardial damage is related to the
ability of ischemic myocardium to improve. Therefore early accurate assessment
of viability and necrosis is important for optimal management of patients with
chronic ischemic heart disease.
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