Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
Remote Limb Ischemic Preconditioning: A Neuroprotective Technique in Rodents
Published on: June 2, 2015
Remote ischaemic preconditioning does not protect the heart in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting
Vladimir V Lomivorotov1, Vladimir A Shmyrev, Valeriy A Nepomnyaschih
1Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Academician E.N. Meshalkin Novosibirsk State Research Institute of Circulation Pathology, Novosibirsk, Russia.
Insights
Remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) did not reduce myocardial injury in coronary artery bypass grafting patients. However, RIPC did improve cardiac index, suggesting potential hemodynamic benefits.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Ischaemic Physiology
Background:
- Remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) is explored for mitigating myocardial injury during sustained ischaemia.
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery poses risks of myocardial damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of RIPC in reducing myocardial injury in patients undergoing CABG.
- To assess the impact of RIPC on hemodynamic parameters and cardiac biomarkers post-CABG.
Main Methods:
- Prospective randomized study involving 80 CABG patients.
- RIPC induced by three cycles of upper limb ischaemia/reperfusion post-anaesthesia.
- Hemodynamic data and myocardial damage markers (troponin I, CK-MB) analyzed pre- and post-operatively (48h).
Main Results:
- The RIPC group showed a higher cardiac index immediately after the intervention.
- No significant differences were observed in other hemodynamic parameters between groups.
- Troponin I and creatine kinase-MB levels did not differ significantly between RIPC and control groups.
Conclusions:
- Short-term RIPC improved hemodynamics but did not reduce myocardial injury in CABG patients.
- Further investigation in high-risk patient populations may be warranted to fully ascertain RIPC's clinical utility.
Abstract:
Remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) gained attention as a possibility to reduce myocardial injury after a subsequent sustained episode of myocardial ischaemia. This prospective randomized study was carried out to assess whether RIPC reduces myocardial injury in coronary artery bypass grafting patients. Eighty patients were assigned to remote preconditioning or control treatment. Ischaemic preconditioning was induced by three 5-min cycles of upper limb ischaemia and reperfusion after anaesthesia induction. Haemodynamic and markers of myocardial damage were analysed preoperatively and over 48 h postoperatively. The cardiac index was higher immediately after remote preconditioning in the main group. There were no differences in other haemodynamic, troponin I and creatine kinase-MB concentrations at any time point between groups. Thus, short-term remote preconditioning improves haemodynamics and does not reduce myocardial injury after coronary artery bypass surgery. Further study of high-risk patients may be needed to fully evaluate the clinical effect of RIPC.
