Abstract
Background
Coronary artery obstruction causes ischemia of cardiac tissue, leading to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The treatment of choice for reducing acute myocardial ischemic injury is early, effective vascular reperfusion using thrombolytic therapy or primary percutaneous coronary intervention. However, reperfusion can cause cardiomyocyte injury. Currently, there is no effective therapy to prevent cardiac reperfusion-related tissue damage. This study evaluated whether Protective Controlled Coronary Reperfusion (PCCR), selectively delivered to ischemic tissue, is associated with decreased myocardial scarring, contractile deterioration and reperfusion-associated myocardial edema.