Cardiomyocyte remodelling during myocardial hibernation and atrial fibrillation: prelude to apoptosis

Abstract

Cardiomyocyte dedifferentiation, but not extensive degeneration through apoptosis, can be observed in chronic hibernating myocardium and chronic fibrillating atrium. Dedifferentiation may be the best way to survive prolonged exposure to the unfavourable conditions imposed by increased wall stress, a relative lowered oxygen environment, or both.