Open AccessThe Late Open Infarct‐related Artery Hypothesis: Evidence‐based Medicine or Not?
Author(s) -
Brueck Martin,
Bandorski Dirk,
Kramer Wilfried,
Vogt Paul R.,
Heidt Martin C.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.15
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiology , myocardial infarction , coronary artery disease , artery , hibernating myocardium , perfusion , infarction , randomized controlled trial , revascularization
Randomized clinical trials have clearly shown that early reperfusion of coronary arteries is the established treatment of myocardial infarction preserving left ventricular function and reducing mortality. However, late patency of the infarct‐related artery is an independent predictor of survival leading to the late open‐artery hypothesis. This concept implies restoration of antegrade blood flow of the infarct‐related artery in patients with myocardial infarction to improve survival by mechanisms less time‐dependent or even time‐independent. Possible explanations for this benefit include improved left ventricular function and electrical stability by perfusion of hibernating myocardium, accelerated infarct healing and limitation of ventricular remodeling. This review focuses on the evidence of late recanalization of occluded infarct‐related arteries in patients with coronary artery disease. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.