[Ischemia-reperfusion injury. Current state of knowledge]

The endothelium dysfunction associated to ischemia/reperfusion is responsible for the majority of the local and systemic effects seen in several clinical perioperatory situations. Although reperfusion is an essential step in preventing the ischemic injury's irreversibility, reperfusion itself is a setback to the extent that it worsens the injury produced during the ischemia. This study analysis and points out the different physiopathological aspects observed during the ischemic/reperfusion injury at different arteriolar, capillar and venular levels, in an attempt to integrate them within the scope of an systemic inflammatory response. In this study we also discuss the latest advancements with a view to potential therapeutics for ischemic/reperfusion injury namely controlled reperfusion and ischemic preconditioning.