The lungs are the primary organs affected in LHD (left heart disease). Increased left atrial pressure leads to pulmonary alveolar–capillary stress failure, resulting in cycles of alveolar wall injury and repair. The reparative process causes the proliferation of MYFs (myofibroblasts) with fibrosis and extracellular matrix deposition, resulting in thickening of the alveolar wall. Although the resultant reduction in vascular permeability is initially protective against pulmonary oedema, the process becomes maladaptive causing a restrictive lung syndrome with impaired gas exchange. This pathological process may also contribute to PH (pulmonary hypertension) due to LHD. Few clinical trials have specifically evaluated lung structural remodelling and the effect of related therapies in LHD. Currently approved treatment for chronic HF (heart failure) may have direct beneficial effects on lung structural remodelling. In the future, novel therapies specifically targeting the remodelling processes may potentially be utilized. In the present review, we summarize data supporting the clinical importance and pathophysiological mechanisms of lung structural remodelling in LHD and propose that this pathophysiological process should be explored further in pre-clinical studies and future therapeutic trials.
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Review Article|
March 17 2014
Lung capillary injury and repair in left heart disease: a new target for therapy?
Sayena Azarbar;
Sayena Azarbar
*Department of Medicine, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal, 5000 Belanger Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H1T 1C8
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Jocelyn Dupuis
*Department of Medicine, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal, 5000 Belanger Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H1T 1C8
†Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal, 5000 Belanger Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H1T 1C8
Correspondence: Dr Jocelyn Dupuis (email [email protected]).
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
June 18 2013
Revision Received:
December 03 2013
Accepted:
December 17 2013
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2014 Biochemical Society
2014
Clin Sci (Lond) (2014) 127 (2): 65–76.
Article history
Received:
June 18 2013
Revision Received:
December 03 2013
Accepted:
December 17 2013
Citation
Sayena Azarbar, Jocelyn Dupuis; Lung capillary injury and repair in left heart disease: a new target for therapy?. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 July 2014; 127 (2): 65–76. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20130296
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