Future cardiology
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The cardioprotective properties of volatile anesthetics have been widely demonstrated by numerous randomized studies and meta-analyses in the setting of cardiac surgery, above of all during coronary artery bypass grafting procedures. Recently, conflicting results have been presented in cardiac non-coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. ⋯ In this review we analyze and present the results of the most recent and important studies regarding anesthetic preconditioning in cardiac and in noncardiac surgery. Furthermore, we focus on the emerging data from animal experiments, discussing in particular the molecular mechanisms underlying anesthetic preconditioning.