Bilateral sympathectomy improves postinfarction left ventricular remodeling and function

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the influence of bilateral or left sympathectomy on left ventricular remodeling and function after myocardial infarction in rats. Methods Myocardial infarction was induced in rats by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary. Seven days later, rats were divided into 4 groups: the myocardial infarction, myocardial infarction with left sympathectomy, myocardial infarction with bilateral sympathectomy, and sham groups. After 8 weeks, left ventricular function was evaluated with the use of a pressure-volume conductance catheter under steady-state conditions and pharmacological stress. Infarct size and extracellular matrix fibrosis were evaluated, and cardiac matrix metalloproteinases and myocardial inflammatory markers were analyzed. Results The myocardial infarction and left sympathectomy group had an increased end diastolic volume, whereas the bilateral sympathectomy group had a mean end-diastolic volume similar to that of the sham group ( P P P P Conclusions Bilateral sympathectomy effectively attenuated left ventricular remodeling and preserved systolic function after myocardial infarction induction in rats.