Elevated body temperature during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion exacerbates necrosis and worsens no-reflow

Abstract

The effects of an elevated body temperature on infarct size were tested in a rabbit model of ischemia/reperfusion. Before coronary artery occlusion, body temperature was raised from baseline at 38.6 ± 0.1°C to 40.3 ± 0.2°C in nine treated rabbits. Temperature in eight normothermic rabbits was 38.4 ± 0.2°C. Both groups received 30 min coronary occlusion and 3 h reperfusion. In normothermic rabbits, 36 ± 6% of the ischemic risk region became necrotic but in hyperthermic rabbits myocardial necrosis was significantly increased to 57 ± 3% of the risk region (P r Elevation in body temperature by even a few degrees can aggravate necrosis during acute myocardial infarction and worsens no-reflow.