Effects of Remote Ischemic Conditioning on Cardiovascular Responsiveness in Healthy Individuals

The remote ischemic conditioning (RIC)-induced changes in systemic hemodynamics or circulatory reactivity are unclear. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effect of a single bout of RIC on the passive leg raising (PLR)-induced cardiovascular response. This prospective study included 36 healthy volunteers (median age: 24 years). Systemic hemodynamic indices were assessed through the following sequential steps: with the participant in a supine position, during the first PLR maneuver, before RIC, after RIC, during the second PLR maneuver, and with the participant in a supine position. The perfusion index (PI) was measured during PLR before and after RIC. We found no significant differences before and after RIC in the proportion of responders during PLR (participants with stroke volume (SV) change ≥ 10%, 61% vs. 47%, p = 0.180). There was a strong correlation between SV changes during the two PLR tests (r_s = 0.80, p < 0.001). PLR significantly increased the PI before and after RIC. However, there was no significant difference before and after RIC in the PLR-induced PI changes (p = 0.944). Our findings suggest that a single bout of RIC has no effect on PLR-induced cardiovascular responses in terms of changes in systemic hemodynamic and peripheral perfusion indices.