The ischemic myocardium: mechanism of early pump failure.

The rapid loss of myocardial contractility that occurs after coronary occlusion may result from the absence of some critical substrate for cellular metabolism or from accumulation of toxic metabolites. In any event, for a few hours the portion of the myocardium affected by the interruption of blood flow retains its viability. Research into the mechanisms operating during this early period may open the way to reversal of the cellular changes.