Cardioprotection against myocardial reperfusion injury: successes, failures, and perspectives

The past few decades have witnessed an enormous number of research strategies aimed at protecting the heart against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Several randomized clinical trials are nowadays in progress testing whether promising therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing lethal reperfusion injury can be translated from bench to bedside. Many of these interventions, either pharmacological or mechanical, are targeting mitochondria as the final effectors of cardioprotection. Despite encouraging pre-clinical studies and small proof of concept clinical trials, there are still several limitations that may jeopardize the efficacy of cardioprotective strategies. These limitations include clinical setting, patient profile, drug administration, and methods for evaluating treatment efficacy. Identifying potential mechanistic and methodological pitfalls in the field may improve future translational research.