#$%^&*AU2017203662A120170615.pdf#####ABSTRACT This invention provides methods of preventing or treating cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury in a mammalian subject. The methods comprise administering to the subject an effective amount of an aromatic-cationic peptide to a subject in need thereof, wherein the peptide is D-Arg-2 6-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2 (SS-31).