Myocardial injury and protection related to cardiopulmonary bypass

During cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, the heart is isolated from the circulation. This inevitably induces myocardial ischemia. In addition to this ischemic insult, an additional hit will occur upon reperfusion, which may worsen the extent of tissue damage and organ dysfunction. Over the years, several strategies have been developed that aim to attenuate and/or modulate the extent of this ischemia–reperfusion injury related to the episode of cardiopulmonary bypass. This article reviews the pathophysiology of myocardial injury related to cardiopulmonary bypass and summarizes potential therapeutic strategies that may modulate the extent of this myocardial injury.