Cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression at the site of recent myocardial infarction: friend or foe?

Abstract

COX-2 is expressed in cardiomyocytes in nearly 40% of cases at the site of recent acute myocardial infarction, even late after the index event. Its expression was associated with extremely high apoptotic rates. These findings suggest a potential cause-effect link between COX-2 expression and enhanced myocardial apoptosis in ischaemic cardiomyopathy.