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Summary 1. In the present study, the time-course, over a 1 year period, of postischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy and/or development of congestive heart failure was investigated in mice in terms of survival and cardiac functional and structural characteristics. 2. C57BL/6 mice with myocardial infarction (MI mice; coronary ligation n = 78) or sham-operated animals (n = 45) were used and echocardiographic, haemodynamic and histomorphometric parameters were assessed at 3, 6 and 12 months post-MI. 3. At 12 months, the survival rate was 70% in MI mice. Left ventricular dysfunction was evidenced by a strong decrease in ejection fraction (EF; -48 and -53% at 6 and 12 months, respectively; both P < 0.05) and an increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (+100% at both 6 and 12 months; both P < 0.05). There was no major worsening in cardiac function between 6 and 12 months, suggesting strong compensatory mechanisms. Cardiac remodelling was observed, characterized by strong left ventricular hypertrophy (+38 and +62% at 6 and 12 months, respectively; both P < 0.05) and dilatation (+53% at 6 months; P < 0.05), but collagen was not significantly increased. Significant correlations were found between EF (echocardiography) and dP/dtmax , between end-diastolic volume (echocardiography) and left ventricular internal perimeter (histomorphometry) and between left ventricular mass (echocardiography) and weight. 4. In conclusion, despite a high survival rate, the MI mouse model displays most of the hallmarks of postischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy and/or congestive heart failure, thus affording the necessary background for the subsequent evaluation of gene manipulation and/or drug effects. In addition, two-dimensional echocardiography appears to be a suitable tool for the long-term follow up of cardiac function and remodelling in this model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]