Myocardial Ischemic Preconditioning: A Novel Approach to Cardioprotection

Myocardial ischemia is a condition in which the coronary blood flow to the myocardium is abridged resulting in deficient oxygen and nutrients supply to the heart. Reperfusion to an ischemic myocardium often results in lethal myocardial injury. The brief episodes of ischemia and reperfusion given before prolonged ischemia and reperfusion denotes preconditioning. Preconditioning is anti-jeopardized phenomenon which protects the myocardium from lethal ischemia-reperfusion injury. In this review, we have critically discussed the mechanisms involved in the cardioprotective effects of preconditioning to limit ischemia-reperfusion induced myocardial injury. Moreover, the clinical relevance and factors affecting the cardioprotective potential of myocardial preconditioning have been delineated.