[Experimental studies on surgical therapy of acute infarct]

The authors examined the effects of reperfusion after temporary ischemia in 50 dogs. The morphologic alterations were documented by methods of electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and histochemistry. Lactate and activity of glycogen phosphorylase were assessed. According to the results, the optimal ischemia interval is 30 to 60 minutes for rational application of reperfusion, while it is just possible after 120 minutes. After a 4-hours-period of ischemia reperfusion increase morphologic damage of myocardium and impairment of myocardial metabolism. Prolonged reperfusion of 7 days resulted in a reduced extent of infarction compared with controls. In non-ischemic myocardium the morphologic and metabolic alterations were less expressed. The effects of "no-reflow"-phenomenon and conclusions for clinical practice are discussed.