Coronary flow response to remote ischemic preconditioning is preserved in old cardiac patients

• Published in: Aging clinical and experimental research 2018-07, Vol.30 (7), p.829-837
• Main Authors: Santillo, Elpidio, Migale, Monica, Balestrini, Fabrizio, Postacchini, Demetrio, Bustacchini, Silvia, Lattanzio, Fabrizia, Antonelli-Incalzi, Raffaele
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Flow velocity; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Heart failure; Hibernation; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Article
• ISSN: 1720-8319; 1594-0667; 1720-8319
• DOI: 10.1007/s40520-017-0845-1

Background The effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on coronary flow in elderly cardiac patients has not been investigated yet. Thus, we aimed to study the change of coronary flow subsequent to RIPC in old patients with heart diseases and to identify its main correlates. Methods Ninety-five elderly patients (aged ≥ 65 years) accessing cardiac rehabilitation ward underwent transthoracic ultrasound evaluation of peak diastolic flow velocity of left anterior descending artery. Measurements of coronary flow velocity were performed on baseline and after an RIPC protocol (three cycles of 5 min ischemia of right arm alternating 5 min reperfusion). Differences between subjects with coronary flow velocity change over or equal the 75° percentile (high-responders) and subjects with a coronary flow velocity change under the 75° percentile (low-responders) were assessed. Results In enrolled elderly heart patients, coronary flow velocity significantly augmented from baseline after RIPC [0.23 m/s (0.18–0.28) vs 0.27 m/s (0.22–0.36); p