Reduction of infarct size: a misleading concept?
Clinicians have long sought a pharmacological intervention with which to limit the extent of tissue damage during myocardial infarction. Early animal experiments suggested that reduction of infarct size was a feasible objective. More recently the concept has been challenged. Infarct size is determined predominantly by coronary blood flow. Small coronary arteries and arterioles supply discrete capillary beds, particularly in the endocardium. Intervention may delay the onset of myocardial cell necrosis but ultimate infarct size is only reduced if blood flow can be increased or restored.
D000818:Animals; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000627:therapeutic use
D013300:Streptokinase