Coronary reperfusion following experimental myocardial infarction

Numerous studies have shown that early coronary reperfusion is feasible in the setting of evolving acute myocardial infarction in man. While early reperfusion reduces myocardial infarct size, there are potentially deleterious consequences of reperfusion. The concept of "reperfusion injury", oxygen-free radical damage, no reflow phenomenon, and stunned myocardium are discussed.