A method is disclosed for reducing the extent of myocardial cell damage or cell death arising from hypoxia or a loss, reduction or interruption in coronary blood flow comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition which includes riluzole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof. The method further discloses administering the pharmaceutical composition to reduce the incidence and severity of arrhythmias arising from the hypoxia or loss, reduction or interruption in coronary blood flow. The method also discloses treating a sequence of pathological events with the pharmaceutical composition wherein the sequence involves a cellular influx of sodium via persistent sodium channels, and the development of myocardial cellular damage or myocardial cellular death.
