MMP7 and myocardial infarction: Therefore, we speculate that while inhibiting MMP-7 activity may maintain the VSMC- and ECM-rich fibrous cap of plaques – protecting them from ensuing rupture, targeting MMP-7 during the early stages of post-MI cardiac remodelling would increase cardiac fibrosis due to loss of ECM/collagen turnover, predisposing to heart failure.