Selected Abstracts for the Australasian Society of Cardio-Vascular Perfusionists Inc.

Objective: Reports evaluating the efficacy of heparin-bonded circuits (HBC) to blunt inflammation, platelet dysfunction and thrombin generation in response to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) have varied. We hypothesized that this variability may, in part, be related to the use of cardiotomy suction (CS), which has been demonstrated to reintroduce pro-coagulant and pro-inflammatory factors into the systemic circulation during CPB. A prospective, randomized study was undertaken to evaluate the specific effects of CS. Methods: Thirty-six patients undergoing first-time, non-emergent, coronary artery bypass graft surgery with CPB were randomized to one of three treatment groups: I) non-heparin bonded circuits with the use of CS (n = 12), II) Duraflo-II HBC with CS (n = 12), or III) Duraflo-II HBC without CS (n = 12). Thrombin generation (PF1.2), neutrophil activation (PMN elastase, PMN-E), platelet activation ( (cid:1) -thromboglobulin, (cid:1) -TG) and neuronal injury (neuron-specific enolase, NSE) were analyzed by ELISA assays post CPB and compared to pre bypass levels. Results are presented as mean ± SEM. Results: Pre bypass levels of all markers were similar amongst treatment groups.