Preconditioning and postconditioning for neuroprotection: the most recent evidence

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with perioperative stroke being an important complication in the practice of anaesthesia. Unfortunately, pharmacological treatment options are very limited and often not applicable in the perioperative period. The notion of applying a subtoxic stimulus prior to an otherwise lethal event is termed preconditioning. The main focus of the article is on describing the different concepts of preconditioning, including remote ischaemic preconditioning and anaesthetic preconditioning, as well as postconditioning and summarizing the most recent discoveries in this exciting field.