The application of remote ischemic conditioning in heart surgery

What is it about?

Remote ischemic conditioning is the phenomenon in which transient, repetitive, non-lethal ischemia and reperfusion in one organ or tissue (remote from the heart) render myocardium resistant to lethal ischemia/reperfusion injury. It represents a strategy for harnessing the body’s endogenous, protective capabilities against the myocardial injury incurred by ischemia/reperfusion. This review article summarizes the current status, challenges, and potential strategies of remote ischemic conditioning research in heart surgery

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Why is it important?

Perioperative myocardial ischemia and infarction are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality following anesthesia and surgery. Remote ischemic conditioning has the advantage of applying the protective ischemia to an organ distant from the heart.