Immunohistochemical expression of HIF-1alpha in response to early myocardial ischemia.

This study aims to evaluate the effects of ischemia on the myocardial fibers and the expression of the transcriptional factor for angiogenesis hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) in human heart specimens. We have prospectively analyzed the HIF-1alpha expression in human ischemic hearts with the ABC-inmunohistochemistry technique and amplification by biotinylated tyramide. The relationship between the expression of HIF-1alpha and the temporal evolution of ischemia has also been evaluated.