Indicators and mechanism of myocardial cell death after ischemia/reperfusion

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury is a problem urgently needed to be solved in clinical treatment. Myocardial cells are end cells. The death of myocardial cells caused by MI/R injury can lead to irreversible damage of the heart structure and functions and result in myocardial fibrosis and heart failure. Necrosis and apoptosis are the two main indicators of myocardial cell death. Necrosis was regarded as non-programmed cell death. However, recent studies revealed that myocyte necrosis is not uncontrollable and can be regulated by signaling pathways, referred to as necroptosis. After MI/R, myocardial cells, with the mediation of the death receptors on myocardial cell membranes, may make a choice between apoptosis and necroptosis through a series of regulated molecular signaling pathways. In this review,indicators of myocardial cell death after ischemia/reperfusion and its mechanisms are discussed.