Unloading of the Left Ventricle With More Delayed Reperfusion May Reduce Reperfusion Injury

Early reperfusion therapy is crucial and the standard of care for the management of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We report a case of STEMI with unloading followed by more delayed reperfusion, which challenges current clinical practice. It also highlights the importance of more translational research to better understand STEMI on a mechanistic level including the crucial role of mitochondria and anaerobic respiration during vessel occlusion and ischemia. This can also help in preventing post-myocardial infarction complications such as reperfusion injury, which leads to the development of heart failure.