Effect of Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) on left ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction

The current project attempts to study inflammatory and immunologic mechanisms in heart failure (HF). We hypothesize that intravenous immunoglobulin, given in the acute phase following myocardial infarction in patients at risk for developing heart failure HF, will improve cardiac performance, and by attenuating cardiac remodeling in this phase, such therapy will prevent the development of chronic HF resulting in long term beneficial effect also after the therapy has been stopped. This double-blind placebo- controlled study represents a new approach to cardiovascular disease. The project deals with unresolved issues in the intersection between cardiology, immunology and molecular biology. The study represents a unique opportunity to establish a bridge betwee n bench and bedside, which is of the outmost importance in order to exploit in clinical medicine the recent development in immunology and molecular biology. Through a ?proof of concept study?, the project has ambition to develop new treatment modalities i n HF. With respect to the important health problem this disorder represents both in Norway and in other countries, such new therapeutic options may have important consequences.