Reversible and irreversible damage of the myocardium: New ischemic syndromes, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and cardioprotection

Ischemia and reperfusion injuries can lead to major compromises in cardiac function. While the intent of many of the past cardioprotective therapies was to protect the myocardium from ischemic necrosis, it may be that reperfusion injury following ischemia may occur despite such preventative attempts. There are continued efforts to identify improvements in myocardial protective strategies, and their ultimate goals are to minimize the risk of cellular injuries to all types of patients undergoing cardiovascular therapies, treatments, or surgeries. The goal of this chapter is to provide the reader with a general review of the physiology and pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia.