Endothelin-1 during and after cardiopulmonary bypass: association to graft sensitivity and postoperative recovery.
OBJECTIVE
Our objectives are 2-fold: (1) to serially measure the release of endothelin and graft-conduit endothelin sensitivity during and after coronary artery bypass grafting and (2) to define potential relationships of changes in endothelin levels to perioperative parameters.


METHODS
Endothelin plasma content was measured in patients (n = 105) undergoing bypass grafting from select vascular compartments before operations and at specific intervals up to 24 hours postoperatively. Endothelin sensitivity was determined in isolated internal thoracic artery segments.


RESULTS
Systemic arterial and pulmonary arterial endothelin levels were increased by approximately 50% immediately after bypass grafting and increased by another 85% during the first 24 hours postoperatively. Endothelin levels were highest in patients with prolonged ventilatory requirements and extended stays in the intensive care unit (10.2 +/- 0.8 vs 13.2 +/- 1.1 fmol/mL, P =.02, and 9.8 +/- 0.7 vs 13.9 +/- 1.2 fmol/mL, P =.01, respectively. Endothelin sensitivity of the internal thoracic artery was increased in patients requiring prolonged vasodilator support with nitroglycerin.


CONCLUSIONS
Systemic and pulmonary arterial endothelin levels remained increased for at least 24 hours postoperatively. Prolonged pharmacologic management and increased intensive care unit stay were associated with increased systemic endothelin release and heightened graft-conduit sensitivity to endothelin.
Bond
B R
BR
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29403, USA.
Dorman
B H
BH
Clair
M J
MJ
Walker
C A
CA
Pinosky
M L
ML
Reeves
S T
ST
Walton
S
S
Kratz
J M
JM
Zellner
J L
JL
Crumbley
A J
AJ
Multani
M M
MM
Spinale
F G
FG
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000378:metabolism; D013895:Thoracic Arteries / Q000378:metabolism; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D019332:Endothelin-1; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D005996:Nitroglycerin