PURPOSE:

To analyse the effect of early (< 24h) administration of lisinopril on ventricular remodeling and mortality after myocardial infarction (MI) in rats.

METHODS:

Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were submitted to ligation of the left coronary artery (LCA) and divided into three groups: SHAM (S, n = 9); infarcted and lisinopril (20mg/kg/day) treated rats (L, n = 38); infarcted and non-treated animals (NT, n = 24). Three months later, the cardiac function was studied in isolated heart preparation according to the Langendorff technique. Starling curves were constructed using fluid injection in the left ventricular balloon, which permitted to alter the diastolic pressure range from 0 to 30mmHg by means of pressure increments of 5mmHg. Body weight (BW), right ventricular weight (RVW), and RVW/BW were also determined.

RESULTS:

Three months after the surgery, the comparative mortality rate among groups was: S = 0; L = 34.4and NT = 54.4(p > 0.05, for L vs NT). In infarctions < 40of the left ventricle (LV), the RVW/BW relation was S = L < NT (p < 0.05); the left ventricular systolic pressure was S > L > NT (p < 0.05). In infarctions > 40of LV, the RVW/BW relation was S < L = NT (p < 0.05). For the Starling curves, the results were S > L > NT (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

In our model lisinopril did not interfere with post-infarction mortality of rats, although decreasing the mortality risk in 49, in the treated group. The drug also altered the remodeling process, preventing hypertrophy and systolic disfunction after MI, mainly in infarctions < 40of LV.