L-triiodothyronine (T3) for use in limiting microvascular obstruction

1 . A method to prevent or minimize microvascular obstruction (MVO) in a patient comprising administering L-triiodothyronine (T3), wherein the MVO treatment is commenced after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), and the PPCI is performed in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients

wherein T3 is administered intravenously as a solution with a concentration of T3 in the range of 5 to 20 μg/ml, after an initial bolus of 0.7 to 0.9 μg T3 per kg weight of the patient, and

wherein a level of T3 in patient serum is at least 5.5 ng/ml at 24 hours and at least 4.5 ng/ml at 48 hours after the start of L-triiodothyronine treatment.

2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the presence of MVO is measured by cardiac magnetic resonance.

3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the patient subsequent to the bolus receives a continuous injection of 0.1 to 0.2 μg/kg/h.

4 . The method of claim 1 wherein patients receive in total 350 to 600 μg T3 over about 48 hours.

5 . A method for the treatment of microvascular obstruction, comprising:

treating an ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patient after primary percutaneous coronary intervention diagnosed with microvascular obstruction, by administering L-triiodothyronine, wherein the patient receives an initial bolus of L-triiodothyronine of 0.7 to 0.9 μg per kg weight of the patient, and subsequent to the bolus receives a continuous injection of 0.1 to 0.2 μg/kg/h of L-triiodothyronine.

6 . The method of claim 5 wherein a level of L-triiodothyronine in patient serum is at least 5.5 ng/ml at 24 hours and at least 4.5 ng/ml at 48 hours after the start of L-triiodothyronine treatment.