Renin-angiotensin system mediated mechanisms: cardioreparation and cardioprotection

Abstract

A number of changes occur within the myocardial structure during the development of LVH. There is a tremendous increase in myocyte size in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertensive heart disease, coronary artery disease or post-myocardial infarction. The major physiological stimulus for myocytes to undergo hypertrophy is mechanical stress, or stretch, either provided by increased preload, or increased afterload, or a combined increase in both.