ABSTRACT
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the industrialized world (Lloyd-Jones et al. 2010). Heart attacks are the main cause of death in patients with CVD, although damage to heart muscle can also occur from infection, drugs, alcohol, chemotherapeutic agents, or because of congenital conditions. According to available statistical information (www.bhf.org.uk), approximately 30% of patients suffering from heart attacks each year die suddenly before reaching hospital. In the remaining patients who survive the initial acute event, the damage sustained to the heart may eventually develop heart failure. A heart attack, known as myocardial infarction (MI), occurs when one or more of the blood vessels supplying the heart suddenly occlude. These vessels are the coronary arteries, and when blocked abruptly, there is a sudden decrease in the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the portion of heart muscle supplied by the artery. If blood ow is not restored rapidly, the result is irreversible cell death within the affected part of the heart muscle.
