Clinical Value of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning

Does Remote Ischemic Preconditioning Reduce the Incidence of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Patient Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery?

Objectives: Despite utilization of available means for cardioprotection during cardiac surgery, myocardial injury still occurs. Further improvement of cardioprotection is therefore necessary. Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is an easy and non-invasive method. Laboratory research has shown promising results regarding myocardial survival during open heart surgery, but the clinical value of RIPC is still largely unknown. The investigators hypothesize that RIPC before coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) reduces the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Elective isolated on-pump CABG surgery
• Informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a severe pulmonary disease
• Patients with renal failure (GFR<30 mL/min/1.73 m2)
• Patients with liver failure
• Peripheral vascular disease affecting the upper limbs
• Patients on sulfonylurea derivatives.
• Patients with atrial fibrillation in their case history
• Prior cardiac surgery (Re-operations)