The first minutes of reperfusion: a window of opportunity for cardioprotection

During the past decade, the understanding has grown that control of the conditions of reperfusion is critical for salvaging ischemic–reperfused myocardium. The first few minutes of reperfusion constitute a critical phase, as here lethal tissue injury in addition to that already developed during ischemia may be initiated. The identification of the mechanisms of reperfusion-induced cell death opens a new window of opportunity for cardioprotection...