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World J Cardiol. Jun 26, 2014; 6(6): 434-443
Published online Jun 26, 2014. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v6.i6.434
Novel adjunctive treatments of myocardial infarction
Michael Rahbek Schmidt, Kasper Pryds, Hans Erik Bøtker
Michael Rahbek Schmidt, Kasper Pryds, Hans Erik Bøtker, Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital Skejby, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
Author contributions: Schmidt MR drafted the manuscript; Pryds K commented and revised the manuscript; Bøtker HK provided the idea for the manuscript, and completed manuscript revision and finalized the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Hans Erik Bøtker, MD, PhD, FESC, FACC, Professor, Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital Skejby, Brendstrupgaardsvej 100, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark. heb@dadlnet.dk
Telephone: +45-78-452025 Fax: +45-78-452057
Received: December 28, 2013
Revised: January 23, 2014
Accepted: April 17, 2014
Published online: June 26, 2014
Processing time: 179 Days and 22 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Patients with ischemic heart disease have a high risk of developing myocardial infarction, which is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Limiting the detrimental consequences of myocardial infarction is a major focus of cardiovascular research. Recent clinical studies suggest that novel adjunctive therapy with pharmacological and ischemic conditioning reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury in patients during coronary procedures. In three independent randomized trials, remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) improves clinical outcome in patients undergoing acute or elective percutaneous intervention or coronary artery by-pass surgery. RIC can be performed safely and non-invasively by intermittent inflation of a blood-pressure cuff on the upper arm and is easily applicable in most clinical settings.