Response of the cellular immune system to cardiopulmonary bypass is independent of the applied pump type and of the use of heparin-coated surfaces.
BACKGROUND
Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with an activation of leukocytes. The extent of this activation was thought to depend on the applied CPB-circuit set-up. The present study comparatively evaluated the effect of roller pump, centrifugal pump, and uncoated and heparin-coated surfaces.


METHODS
73 patients were included, randomly assigned to 3 groups. In group A a roller pump was used, in group B a centrifugal pump, and in group C a centrifugal pump together with Carmeda heparin-coated surfaces. The quantitative (cell count) and the qualitative changes of leukocyte populations (subpopulations and expression of the CD126-, HLA-DR-, CD45 RO-, CD71 antigens) was comparatively analysed before, during, and following CPB.


RESULTS
Groups A and B did not differ in leukocyte counts and the differences between groups B and C were restricted to single time points. Neither groups A and B, nor groups B and C differed significantly in the relative distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations or in the percentage of CD126+, HLA-DR+, CD45 RO+ and CD71+ leukocyte subpopulations.


CONCLUSIONS
CPB affects the cellular immune system; however, this effect seems to be a physiological reaction, independent of the applied CPB circuit system.
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital, Würzburg, Germany.
M
M
Misoph
S
S
Schwender
J
J
Babin-Ebell
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible