Abstract
The mitochondrial and sarcolemmal potassium-channel opener and vasodilator nicorandil preserves viability, microvascular integrity and improves function in nonhypertrophied ischemic hearts. However, the sensitivity of target sites is changing during the evolution of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. Assessment of the process of LV hypertrophy, effect of ischemia and new cardioprotective therapies needs sensitive and accurate methods. MRI with the new necrosis-specific contrast medium Gadophrin-III may serve this purpose. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 1) brief ischemia on nonhypertrophied and hypertrophied hearts and 2) nicorandil therapy on ischemically injured hypertrophied hearts using Gadophrin-III enhanced MRI, functional MRI, hemodynamic parameters and histochemical staining.
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