Myocyte changes in heart failure.

Structural remodeling is a major feature of heart failure and typically precedes the development of symptomatic disease. Structural remodeling of the heart reflects changes in myocyte morphology. Disproportional myocyte growth is observed in pathologic concentric hypertrophy (myocyte thickening) and in eccentric dilated hypertrophy (myocyte lengthening). Alterations in myocyte shape lead to changes in chamber geometry and wall stress. Human and animal studies indicate that changes in myocyte morphology are reversible. Normalization or reversal of maladaptive cardiomyocyte remodeling should be a therapeutic aim that can prevent deterioration or improve cardiac function in heart failure.