Figure 1

Summary of the influence of myofibroblast density on post-myocardial infarction remodelling. Low myofibroblast density in the infarct area results in a poorly structured, expansive and vulnerable scar that is prone to rupture or leads to systolic dysfunction and subsequent adverse myocardial remodelling. Although high myofibroblast density is important for a robust, contractile scar, excessive myofibroblast numbers (particularly in the remote myocardium away from the original infarct) drives fibrosis and myocardial stiffness, resulting in contractile dysfunction, arrhythmia and heart failure progression.