Question

A person had an ischemic cardiac event caused by a clot lodged in a coronary artery. He then received tissue plasminogen activator (tPA; a clot buster) and worsened when the ischemia was relieved (ischemia reperfusion injury). This occurred because of________ after the ischemia was relieved.

Answer 1

Ischemia reperfusion injury occurs when blood flow is restored to previously ischemic tissue, causing additional damage.

Step-by-step explanation:

Ischemia reperfusion injury occurs when blood flow is restored to previously ischemic tissue, resulting in additional damage. In the case of the person who received tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to dissolve a clot in a coronary artery, the removal of the clot led to reperfusion of the previously ischemic heart tissue. During reperfusion, the restored blood flow can cause an inflammatory response and the production of reactive oxygen species, which can cause further damage to the tissue. This phenomenon is known as ischemia reperfusion injury.