Dr. Christopher Overgaard is investigating how free radicals affect healthy and damaged hearts. He has been infusing vitamin C (a free radical scavenger) into the left main coronary artery of patients who have suffered damage to their heart muscle. In some patient groups, vitamin C treatment enhances the body’s response to dobutamine – a medication that strengthens heart contractions. Dr. Overgaard’s research suggests that mopping up free oxygen radicals with Vitamin C impacts on heart muscle function.