Remote ischemic preconditioning improves the cognitive function of elderly patients following colon surgery: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Cognitive function impairment is one of the most common complications in elderly patients after surgery, and an ideal nonpharmacological therapy has not yet been identified. Thus, we hypothesized that remote ischemic preconditioning could improve cognitive functions in elderly patients after surgery and investigated the mechanism underlying this effect.

Methods: Ninety patients classified as American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status of 2 or 3 and aged 65 to 75 years who were scheduled for elective colon surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated to either a remote ischemic preconditioning group (Group R, n = 45) or a control group (Group C, n = 45).