ABSTRACT
Stunning has been shown to occur in man in a number of clinically important situations involving a cycle of ischemia followed by recovery from ischemia (Table 9.1).
Myocardial infarction If reperfusion occurs while MI is developing, the reperfused area becomes stunned, as it has been severely ischemic but has the potential for functional improvement. Reperfusion may occur either spontaneously or as a result of therapeutic measures (thrombolysis and/or PTCA). Significant abnormalities of systolic and diastolic myocardial function occur following reperfusion in this situation, with a prolonged time course because the ischemic insult is a very severe one. Studies have shown that recovery of stunned myocardium is relatively slow, and may take 7-10 days.7
