Systems and methods for left ventricular unloading in treating myocardial infarction

A method of supporting a heart of a human patient that has sustained myocardial infarction, the method comprising the steps of:

• measuring an ST Segment Elevation Sum (ΣSTE) of the heart of the human patient after the myocardial infarction, wherein the ΣSTE is greater than 6 mm;
• inserting a mechanical circulatory support device into the human patient after the myocardial infarction, the mechanical circulatory support device comprising a blood pump with a motor and a cannula, wherein the cannula is inserted into the heart of the human patient across a valve, and wherein the ΣSTE of the heart of the human patient is greater than 6 mm;
• operating the mechanical circulatory support device for a support period between at least 30 minutes and less than 60 minutes, at a rate of at least 2.5 L/min of blood flow;
• and
• after the support period, applying a coronary reperfusion therapy to the heart.

A system for supporting a heart of a human patient that has sustained myocardial infarction, wherein an ST Segment Elevation Sum (ΣSTE) of the heart of the human patient after the myocardial infarction is greater than 6 mm, the system comprising:

• a blood pump configured to be inserted into the human patient after the myocardial infarction, the blood pump comprising a motor and a cannula and the blood pump being configured to be inserted into a vasculature of the human patient such that the cannula is positioned across a valve of the heart of the human patient;
• and
• a coronary reperfusion therapy device,
• wherein the system is configured to implement the steps of:
• operating the blood pump for a support period between at least 30 minutes and less than 60 minutes, at a rate of at least 2.5 L/min of blood flow;
• and
• after the support period, applying a coronary reperfusion therapy to the heart of the human patient.