The role of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) in preventing organ dysfunction following hemorrhagic shock: a translational study

Dysfunction of vital organs is one major reason why trauma victims die after sustaining a major injury, even though the organs themselves may not have been directly injured. One intervention proposed to prevent development of distant organ injury is called “Remote Ischemic Preconditioning” (RIPC), wherein application of intermittent occlusion and release of blood flow to a limb by sequentially inflating and deflating a blood pressure cuff. This project will study mechanisms whereby RIPC protects the liver after hemorrhagic shock, which may help suggest alternative or additive beneficial interventions to those achieved with RIPC. In addition, in a pilot study, we will investigate the effects of RIPC in trauma patients, with specific focus on the coagulation and immune systems, both known to be deranged in these patients. These studies will potentially benefit patients and serve as proof of principle for the use of the CellAegis RIPC device in the trauma setting.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Ori Rotstein

Student:

Chung Ho Leung

Partner:

CellAegis Devices Inc.

Discipline:

Medicine

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

University of Toronto