Diminished cardiac fibrosis in heart failure is associated with altered ventricular arrhythmia phenotype.

Objectives: We sought to define the role of interstitial fibrosis in the proarrhythmic phenotype of failing ventricular myocardium.

Background: Multiple cellular events that occur during pathological remodeling of the failing ventricle are implicated in the genesis of ventricular tachycardia (VT), including interstitial fibrosis. Recent studies suggest that ventricular fibrosis is reversible, and current anti-remodeling therapies attenuate ventricular fibrosis.