Abstract:Objective To evaluate the impacts of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) combined with remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on cognitive function, levels of inflammatory factors and recovery of the patients after cardiac valve replacement surgeries. Methods Seventy-two patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement surgeries were prospectively enrolled in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery in Chengdu Military General Hospital from January 2013 to December 2015, and divided into a sole HBO treatment group and a HBO+RIPC group according to their treatment regimens (36 in each group). The cognitive function, levels of inflammatory factors and recovery of the patients after operation were compared. Results There were no statistical differences in the perioperative clinical characteristics or related indexes in the patients of the two groups (P > 0.05). The HBO+RIPC group had significantly decreased cerebral injury markers of plasma S100B and NSE than the HBO group after surgery. However, there was no significant difference in MMSE score or incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction between the two groups 2 and 7 d after surgery (P > 0.05). Plasma inflammatory marker IL-6 showed no significant change between the two groups (P > 0.05), while TNF-α was significantly decreased in response to the additional treatment with RIPC (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in low cardiac output syndrome, renal dysfunction, ICU stay, postoperative hospital stay or mechanic ventilation time between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions In comparison with the sole HBO preconditioning group, the HBO+RIPC regimen has no significant improvement on cognitive function or recovery of the patients after cardiac valve replacement.