GJA1 and ischemia: <h4>Background</h4>The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of connexin 43 (Cx43) on myocardial cell apoptosis under mild hypothermia and its potential for treating ischemia reperfusion injury.<h4>Methodology</h4>In vivo experiments were conducted on rats, using an ischemia-reperfusion model, small animal ultrasound imaging system, and relevant biochemical assays to measure myocardial function, infarction area, and tissue damage.