Regional hypothermia reduces myocardial necrosis even when instituted after the onset of ischemia
S. L. Hale R. H. Dave R. A. Kloner
Basic Res Cardio, 1997
Rabbits were randomly assigned to one of three groups: group 1, topical myocardial cooling starting 10 min after coronary occlusion; group 2, cooling starting 25 min after coronary occlusion; or group 3, control, no intervention. Early cooling (group 1) resulted in a significant reduction in infarct size compared to the control. However, cooling just before the reperfusion (group 2) failed to reduce infarct size compared to the control. Reducing myocardial temperature reduces infarct size but it is important that the reduction in temperature be produced as early as possible.