Mechanical post-conditioning in STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Although early myocardial reperfusion via primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) allows the preservationof left ventricular function and improves outcome, the acute restoration of blood flow may contribute to thepathophysiology of infarction, a complex phenomenon called reperfusion injury. First described in animal models ofcoronary obstruction, mechanical post-conditioning, a sequence of repetitive interruption of coronary blood flowapplied immediately after reopening of the occluded vessel, was able to reduce the infarct size. However, evidence ofits real benefit remains controversial. This review describes the mechanisms of post-conditioning action and thedifferent protocols employed focusing on its impact on primary PCI outcome