The rats were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 received a continuous intravenous infusion of saline given 10 min prior to ischemia and throughout reperfusion (n=8); Group 2 received a continuous intravenous infusion of 10 ng/kg/min of ATL 313 given 10 min prior to ischemia and throughout reperfusion (n=8); and group 3 received an intravenous bolus of ATL 313 (900 ng/Kg body weight) given 10 min prior to ischemia, and continuous intravenous infusion of 10 ng/kg/min of ATL 313 started at 20 min after ischemia and throughout reperfusion (n=8). After the euthanasia of the rats, the hearts were harvested for the assessment of the risk zone and zone of necrosis of the left ventricle. Conclusion: A(2A)AR agonist ATL 313 significantly reduced infarct size and improved LV contractility at the end of reperfusion assessed by LV dp/dt at a dose of 900 ng/Kg. The mechanisms for the observed cardioprotection effect of ATL 313 remain to be determined.[2]