Background and objectives: Several studies demonstrate that cerebral preconditioning is a protective mechanism against a stressful situation. Preconditioning determinants are described, as well as the neuroprotection provided by anesthetic and non-anesthetics agents.
Content: Review based on the main articles addressing the pathophysiology of ischemia-reperfusion and neuronal injury and pharmacological and non-pharmacological factors (inflammation, glycemia, and temperature) related to the change in response to ischemia-reperfusion, in addition to neuroprotection induced by anesthetic use.
Conclusions: The brain has the ability to protect itself against ischemia when stimulated. The elucidation of this mechanism enables the application of preconditioning inducing substances (some anesthetics), other drugs, and non-pharmacological measures, such as hypothermia, aimed at inducing tolerance to ischemic lesions.
Keywords: Anesthetics; Central Nervous System; Hypothermia.; Ischemia; Ischemic Preconditioning.
Copyright © 2013 Sociedade Brasileira de Anestesiologia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.