ABSTRACT
In patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) early
coronary artery recanalization may induce salvage of
reversible damaged ischemic myocardium and limit infarct
size. The short-term effect is improvement of left ventric-
ular (LV) function and reduction of mortality in the first
few weeks after AMI. The long-term effect is prevention of
LV remodeling and dilatation and, consequently, reduction
of LV failure and death.
