ABSTRACT
D espite optimal myocardial protection, ventricular dysfunction may still occur in the postoperative period following the revascularization of acutely ischemic myocardium. As more high risk patients with acute ischemic syndromes and reduced ejection fractions present for surgical revascularization, established techniques of cardioplegie arrest may be inadequate to protect these hearts. As the incidence of patients with unstable angina and evolving myocardial infarction increases, interventions directed at the coronary venous system have emerged as alternative techniques of myocardial protection. There is currently a renewed interest in protecting jeopardized myocardium during regional and global ischemia using coronary sinus retroperfusion techniques.
