A 62-year-old woman with embolic femoral artery occlusion is facing a delay before circulation can be restored. To minimize ischemic injury, the following is/are true:

b. Injury will continue during reperfusion

c. Low collateral flow is more harmful than no flow

d. Concern regarding reperfusion injury should not delay revascularization

A significant part of ischemic injury occurs during reperfusion from generation of oxygen free radicals, but this should not delay efforts to provide revascularization. Excess oxygen levels are harmful rather than helpful and low collateral flow has been demonstrated experimentally to be more harmful than no flow.