Cardiovascular Diseases & Diagnosis

Myocardial Protection through Pre- and Post-Conditioning: A Review of Mechanisms, Clinical Trials and Future Directions

Abstract

Qamar Iqbal and Santiago Garcia

Although the benefits of pre- and post-conditioning have been extensively documented in animal models, the translation from “bench to bedside” has been disappointing and slow. In this article we review the mechanisms of action and potential pharmacological targets of pre and post-conditioning, discuss key findings of clinical trials and provide a summary of ongoing clinical trials. Myocardial protection before planned myocardial ischemia and during reperfusion has the potential to significantly impact clinical outcomes. Industry and government support are critical to validate the findings of small-scale studies to the broader population with cardiovascular disease.