Several studies have demonstrated that coronary revascularization is likely to improve left
ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), heart failure symptoms and prognosis predominantly in
patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and a substantial amount of viable myocardium but not in
patients without viability. Some issues about myocardial viability in patients with ischemic
cardiomyopathy are still unsolved. In particular, why LVEF does not improve after revascularization
in all patients with a substantial amount of viable myocardium is unknown. Also, it is unclear
whether additional benefits, beyond improvement of LVEF, may be present after revascularization
of viable myocardium. These issues were addressed in the present thesis