Carvedilol improves function and reduces infarct size in the feline myocardium by protecting against lethal reperfusion injury.

This study examined the effect of carvedilol, a vasodilating beta-adrenoceptor antagonist and antioxidant, on lethal reperfusion injury in feline hearts subjected to 40 min of regional ischemia and 180 min of reperfusion. 30 open chest anaesthetized cats were randomized into three groups. A control (n = 10) was compared with a group given carvedilol before coronary artery occlusions (n = 10) and a group given carvedilol immediately before and during early reperfusion (n = 10).