Changes in regulatory microRNA expression in myocardium of heart failure patients on left ventricular assist device support.

Background: Left ventricular assist device support in heart failure patients leads to changes in mRNA and protein expression in the myocardium.

Methods: MicroRNA's are important regulators of various cellular processes, so changes in their expression were tested by Q-PCR methods.

Results: LVAD support (independently of the duration) leads to a decrease of the expression of miR-1, miR-133a and miR-133b in DCM patients but to an increase in expression in IHD patients.