Contractile reserve before and after revascularization of dysfunctional myocardium

We assessed the contractile reserve of dysfunctional myocardium in 21 male patients by dobutamine echocardiography before and more than 3 months after revascularization procedures. An incomplete recovery of contraction was observed after revascularization in infarct zones exhibiting contractile reserve before revascularization, whereas no contractile recovery occurred in patients without. After revascularization, contractile reserve was preserved or even increased in infarct zones with reserve before revascularization, and a modest amount developed in zones without. Following revascularization, increased contractile reserve of infarct zones may contribute to functional improvement despite only a mild gain in ejection fraction.