Post-conditioning to Reduce Infarct Size

Modification of Reperfusion by "Post-Conditioning" Reduces Infarct Size in Acute Myocardial Infarction

When angioplasty (PTCA) and stenting of the blood vessels of the heart is the treatment for a Heart Attack, there is damage to the heart muscle that is caused by the sudden opening of the blood vessels. This is called "reperfusion injury". The cell death is due to inflammation and the generation of free radicals.

The primary objective of this study is to determine if post-conditioning(four brief (30 second) PTCA balloon inflations) reduces damage to the heart muscle. This will be measured by heart enzyme tests-CK measurements- and by cardiac MRI.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18 < 80
• Able to give informed consent
• 100% occlusion of a major epicardial vessel with TIMI 0 Flow

Exclusion Criteria:

• Significant collateral blood flow to the distal vasculature of the occluded vessel.
• Previous CABG
• Previous q-wave myocardial infarction in the same territory