Objectives. The hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) is still of paramount importance in aortic arch surgery, but the safe period of the arrest is limited. Remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) prepares the cerebral tissue for ischaemic insult. Prolongation of the permissible period of HCA with RIPC may have a major impact on the outcome of aortic operations requiring cessation of blood flow by decreasing the rate of neurological deficits.

Design. Twenty pigs were randomised into the RIPC group (n=10) and the control group (n=10). The RIPC group underwent four cycles of transient hind limb ischaemia. Both groups underwent cooling with cardiopulmonary bypass to 11 degrees C followed by a 45-minute HCA and re-warming to 36 degrees C. Cerebral blood flow was measured with a transit time ultrasonic flowmeter from the right common carotid artery, and the arteriovenous oxygen difference was calculated from sagittal sinus and arterial blood samples. Measurements were taken at several time points during cooling and warming. Temperature coefficient (Q10) was calculated to determine estimated permissible periods of HCA.

Results. The Q10 was 2.27 (1.98-2.58) for the RIPC group and 1.87 (1.61-2.25) for the control group. The permissible period of HCA at 18 degrees C was 26minutes (20-33) in the RIPC group and 17minutes (13-25) in the control group (p=.063)(Data expressed in medians and interquartile ranges).

Conclusions. RIPC tends to suppress cerebral metabolism during cooling with cardiopulmonary bypass and may prolong estimated permissible period of HCA.