Reperfusion

Question 1

What is the best way to prevent or minimize a MI?

Answer 1

restoring blood flow to ischemic myocytes by angioplasty, thrombolytic therapy or coronary bypass

Question 2

What does reperfusing heart after start of MI do?

Answer 2

may salvage reversibly injured myocytes

BUT if already irreversibly fatally injured (dead), reperfusion cannot save it, but will alter appearance of infarct

Question 3

Reperfusion of MI causes it to be:

Answer 3

1. smaller
2. patchier
3. more hemorrhage into it
4. more contraction band necrosis
5. accelerated inflammation and repair
6. diffusion of inflammation and repair
7. fewer neutrophils
8. more macrophages
9. more interstitial fibrosis