A Study of Remote Ischaemic Preconditioning in Patients With Atherosclerosis Undergoing Vascular Surgery

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of preoperative remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) on organ damage and the functional characteristics of arteries in patients undergoing vascular surgery. In addition, we investigate the connection between RIPC and changes in the functional characteristics of arteries and low molecular weight metabolites.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients who are willing to give full informed consent for participation and
• who are undergoing open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair or
• who are undergoing endovascular aortic aneurysm repair or
• who are undergoing lower limb revascularization surgery or
• who are undergoing carotid endarterectomy

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients under age of 18
• patients who are pregnant
• patients with known malignancy during last 5 years
• patients with permanent atrial fibrillation or flutter
• patients with symptomatic upper limb atherosclerosis
• patients who require home oxygen therapy
• patients with eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73 m2, measured preoperatively
• patients who have had myocardial infarction during last month
• patients who have had upper limb vein thrombosis
• patients who have undergone vascular surgery in the axillary region
• patients who are not able to follow the study regimen