Future directions for nonclinical evaluation

Much of our knowledge about the effects of coronary occlusion and reperfusion is derived from studies in experimental animals. The recent discovery that coronary thrombosis is usually present in clinical myocardial infarction and that thrombolysis represents an approach to therapy presents opportunities for further experimental work. Animal models are particularly suited to the study of pathogenesis of thrombus formation in atherosclerotic vessels, the role of coronary vasomotor tone, and the effects of restoration of flow upon ischemic myocardium. Although the value of thrombolytic therapy must be proved in the clinical setting, animal models provide an important resource for the study of basic mechanisms.