Aim To observe the relationship of p38-mitogen activated protein kinase(p38MAPK) and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in hibernating myocardium(HM).Methods Ten coronary artery disease(CAD) patients scheduled for bypass surgery were underwent preoperative dobutamine stress echocardiography(DSE),doppler tissue image(DTI) to check the position of HM and intraoperative myocardial biopsies.The normal myocardium and the HM were obtained in operation.They were conformed by electron microscope.Cardiomyocyte apoptosis were detected by Tunel,phosphorylation of p38 was detected by Western blot.It was analyzed that phosphorylation of p38 and positive cardiomyocyte nuclei(PCN) of apoptosis of CHM were different or not in hibernating myocardium and normal myocardium.It was analyzed for the relationship of p38MAPK and PCN of apoptosis.Results Phosphorylation of p38 and PCN of apoptosis were significantly increased in CHM compared with normal myocardium.Phosphorylation of p38 and PCN of apoptosis were positive correlation in hibernating myocardium(r=0.816,p<0.05).Conclusion p38MAPK can be triggered by ischemia,and active p38MAPK intervene cardiomyocyte apoptosis.