Evolution of Scar Mechanical Properties During Myocardial Infarct Healing in Rat

The mechanics of healing myocardial infarcts are an important determinant of post-infarction left ventricular (LV) function and remodeling. Large animal infarct models are well studied; healing infarct scars have been shown to be mechanically and structurally anisotropic [1], and this anisotropy may help preserve LV function during some stages of healing [2]. At the same time, it has been suggested that the rat model of myocardial infarction is more similar to humans in the range of infarct sizes and observed LV dysfunction [3]. However, in the rat model, infarct mechanics and their effect on the overall LV function have not been described so far.