Ischemic preconditioning of the heart

The phenomenon of ischemic preconditioning" has been well known for nearly two decades. In this phenomenon, a brief period of ischemia prior to a more prolonged one improves myocardial function and reduces infarction. This phenomenon is described in animals and, in recent years, also in human hearts, in vitro and in vivo. Two types of ischemic preconditioning are known: the classic or early preconditioning and the delayed or late preconditioning. The mechanism of late preconditioning is well described and is different from its early phase. Fully understanding the mechanism of this amazing phenomenon promises to be a novel discovery as for developing preconditioning mimetic agents and, thereby, using preconditioning as a therapeutic tool or as a preventive factor in cardiovascular diseases.