Background-Left ventricular (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) commonly causes infarct expansion (IE). This study sought to interrupt IE through microinjections of a biocompatible composite material into the post-MI myocardium.

Background-A cause-and-effect relationship exists between matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) induction and left ventricular (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Whether broad-spectrum MMP inhibition is necessary and the timing at which MMP inhibition should be instituted after MI remain unclear. This study examined the effects of MMP-1 and MMP-7-sparing inhibition (sMMPi) on regional and global LV remodeling when instituted before or after MI. Methods and Results-Pigs instrumented with coronary snares and radiopaque markers within the area at risk were randomized to MI only (nϭ11) or sMMPi (PGE-530742, 10 mg/kg PO TID) begun 3 days before MI (nϭ11) or 3 days after MI (nϭ10). Eleven weight-matched noninstrumented pigs served as reference controls. At 10 days after MI, infarct size was similar between groups (47Ϯ3% of the area at risk

Background-Whether