Arm cuff trick may shield heart during surgery

This study tests whether a simple, non-invasive technique called remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) can prevent heart injury in patients at high risk for heart problems who are undergoing major abdominal surgery. RIPC involves briefly inflating a blood pressure cuff on the arm to restrict blood flow, then releasing it, which may signal the heart to better handle stress. The trial includes 766 participants and compares RIPC to a sham procedure to see if it reduces heart damage after surgery.