Device‐Based Approaches Targeting Cardioprotection in Myocardial Infarction: The Expanding Armamentarium of Innovative Strategies

Abstract

Coronary reperfusion therapy has played a pivotal role for reducing mortality and heart failure after acute myocardial infarction. Although several adjunctive approaches have been studied for reducing infarct size further, both ischemia–reperfusion injury and microvascular obstruction are still major contributors to both early and late clinical events after acute myocardial infarction. The progress in the field of cardioprotection has found several promising proof‐of‐concept preclinical studies. However, translation from bench to bedside has not been very successful. This comprehensive review discusses the importance of infarct size as a driver of clinical outcomes post‐acute myocardial infarction and summarizes recent novel device‐based approaches for infarct size reduction. Device‐based interventions including mechanical cardiac unloading, myocardial cooling, coronary sinus interventions, supersaturated oxygen therapy, and vagal stimulation are discussed. Many of these approaches can modify ischemic myocardial biology before reperfusion and offer unique opportunities to target ischemia–reperfusion injury.