Early, selective growth hormone administration may ameliorate left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction

Left ventricular (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) may lead to congestive heart failure, disability and death. It consists of expansion of the infarct zone and dilatation of the non-infarcted myocardium, causing shape distortion and ventricular enlargement. Experimental studies have shown that treatment with growth hormone (GH) stimulates cardiac repair, resulting in increased infarct zone collagen scar formation and possibly enhanced proteinosynthesis. These actions may ameliorate the process of LV remodeling. We hypothesize that these beneficial effects may be more prominent, if GH is delivered selectively in the infarct area, during the early phase of acute MI. Experimental and clinical studies are necessary to validate this hypothesis.