Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is currently the most effective treatment strategy for AMI. Brisk thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grade 3 flow immediately after PCI in patients with AMI is associated with improved clinical outcomes compared with lower flow grades. However, myocardial reperfusion is suboptimal in many patients, mostly because of the 'no-reflow' phenomenon. No-reflow is defined as suboptimal myocardial reperfusion in part of the coronary circulation without angiographic evidence of mechanical vessel obstruction. To date, however, very few drugs have been shown to reverse established no-reflow.