Cardiovascular Research

Ischemic preconditioning at a distance: reduction of myocardial infarct size by partial reduction of blood supply combined with

Authors: Y Birnbaum|||S L Hale|||R A Kloner

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Abstract

Limitation of myocardial infarct size by an earlier brief complete occlusion of a coronary artery is defined as ischemic preconditioning. However, myocardial protection also can be achieved by partial reduction of coronary flow, rapid cardiac pacing, or brief ischemia-reperfusion of a remote region of the heart. Our study assesses the effect on myocardial infarct size of preconditioning at a distance induced by partial reduction of blood flow to a hind limb with or without increase of demand by electrical stimulation of a skeletal muscle.