reperfusion injury


re·per·fu·sion in·ju·ry

myocardial impairment, usually with arrhythmia, following the opening of arterial blockage and considered to be due to oxygen-derived free radicals.
Cardiology Myocardial injury caused by rapid flow of blood into areas previously rendered ischaemic by coronary artery occlusion. Reperfusion injury is attributed to oxidative stress, which may cause arrhythmia, infarction, myocardial stunning
Traumatology A component of crush syndrome, which occurs when blood flow is re-established to an organ or tissue exposed to prolonged ischaemia; renewed blood flow aggravates tissue damage either by causing additional injury or by unmasking injury sustained during the ischaemic period. Reperfusion injury occurs in the heart, intestine, kidney, lung, and muscle, and is due to microvascular damage

reperfusion injury

Cardiology Myocardial injury caused by rapid flow of blood into areas previously rendered ischemic by coronary artery occlusion; RI is attributed to oxidative stress, which may cause arrhythmia, infarction, myocardial stunning. See Reperfusion Traumatology A component of crush syndrome, which occurs when blood flow is reestablished to an organ or tissue exposed to prolonged ischemia; renewed blood flow aggravates tissue damage either by causing additional injury or by unmasking injury sustained during the ischemic period; RI occurs in the heart, intestine, kidney, lung, and muscle, and is due to microvascular damage. See Calcium paradox, Oxygen paradox.

reperfusion injury

The damage, and loss of function, that commonly occurs in the heart muscle when, after a heart attack, the flow of blood to the muscle is restored. Reperfusion injury is generally agreed to be due mainly to the action of oxygen FREE RADICALS. It is also known as myocardial stunning.