NLRP3 and myocardial infarction: NLRP3−/− mice and Wild Type C57BL/6J (NLRP3+/+) mice were subjected to permanent left anterior descending (LAD) artery ligation surgery to induce myocardial infarction (MI) and sacrificed after deep anesthesia to effect with the inhalant isoflurane (as determined of lack of response to footpad squeeze) followed by cervical dislocation one day after MI.