In recent years, there has been much interest in sodium nitrite as a cytoprotective agent in in vitro and animal models. A recent study undertaken in a canine model of myocardial infarction demonstrated a 50% reduction in myocardial injury following the administration of sodium nitrite prior to the ischemic event. In humans, the setting of coronary artery bypass surgery lends itself well to study potential cytoprotective agents. During cardiac surgery, the heart undergoes a period of ischemia allowing the surgeons to operate on the heart. This is followed by a period of reperfusion which in itself can add to cellular injury. Such injury can hinder post-operative myocardial recovery.