Reversible and irreversible damage of the myocardium: Ischemia/reperfusion injury and cardioprotection

Abstract

Ischemia and reperfusion injuries can lead to major compromises in cardiac function. While the intent of many of the past cardioprotective therapies was to protect the myocardium from ischemic necrosis, it may be that reperfusion injury following ischemia may occur despite such preventative attempts. There are continued efforts to identify improvements in myocardial protective strategies (pre- and postconditioning), and their ultimate goals are to minimize the risk of cellular injuries to all types of patients undergoing cardiovascular therapies, treatments, or surgeries.