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Perinatal Hypoxia Exposure On The Developing Heart: The Role Of Endothelin-1, Alexandra Paradis

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Numerous epidemiological and animal studies have indicated that an adverse intrauterine environment is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Therefore proper cardiac development is imperative in optimizing cardiac function throughout life. A key process in determining

cardiomyocyte endowment, and thus cardiac function, is the period of terminal differentiation. This involves the maturation of cardiomyocytes and is essential to heart development, however acceleration of this process may alter cardiomyocyte endowment. Hypoxia/anoxia is a major perinatal stressor that often afflicts the fetus as well as the premature infant, and leads to the …