3.2. The Effect of RIPC on Endothelial Function and Nitric Oxide Bioavailability
All 60 patients had a preoperative measurement of RHI. All but one patient had at least one follow-up measurement within 24 h after surgery. The reason for missing measurements of RHI in one patient was postoperative nausea (four hours after surgery) and early discharge (<24 h after surgery). Patients in our study had a preoperative RHI value of 1.82 (95% CI 1.70–1.93). There were no differences in RHI between patients in the RIPC and control group over time (from preoperative to 24 h after surgery) (Fifty-four patients had blood samples withdrawn for analyses at all three timepoints. One patient had blood samples withdrawn preoperatively and 2–4 h after surgery, whereas five patients had samples drawn preoperatively and 24 h after surgery. There were no differences in concentrations of L-arginine (