Influence of prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass times on splanchnic perfusion and markers of splanchnic organ function.
BACKGROUND
Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is known to have considerable negative impact on perfusion and organ function. The effects of the duration of CPB on markers of splanchnic organ function was studied.


METHODS
Consecutive patients undergoing elective aorto-coronary bypass grafting with CPB times (CPBT) of either less than 70 minutes (n = 15) or more than 80 minutes (n = 15) were prospectively studied. Splanchnic perfusion was assessed by measuring arterial and gastric mucosal PCO2 and calculating PCO2gap. Hepatic function was evaluated by monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) test and by measuring alpha-glutathione S-transferase (alpha-GST). Concentration of pancreatitis-associated protein was measured to assess pancreatic integrity. Measurements were performed after induction of anesthesia, at the end of surgery, 4 hours after arrival in the intensive care unit, and on postoperative day 1.


RESULTS
The mean (+/- standard deviation) CPBT were 54 +/- 12 minutes and 99 +/- 16 minutes, respectively. PCO2gap increased significantly more in the group with CPBT of more than 80 minutes than in that with CPBT of less than 70 minutes, at +15 +/- 4 mm Hg versus +8 +/- 3 mm Hg, respectively, indicating reduction in splanchnic perfusion by longer CPBTs. Postoperative MEGX concentrations were significantly lower and postoperative alpha-GST concentrations were significantly higher in the group with CPBT of more than 80 minutes than in that with CPBT of less than 70 minutes. Plasma levels of pancreatitis-associated protein remained similar in both groups throughout the study period.


CONCLUSIONS
In our patients with CPBT of more than 80 minutes, splanchnic perfusion and hepatocelluar integrity were moderately affected, whereas pancreatic function remained almost unchanged. Studies including a larger patient population are necessary to assess whether protective approaches would be helpful in patients undergoing complex cardiac surgery with very long CPBT.
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Klinikum der Stadt Ludwigshafen, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
Bernhard
B
Kumle
Joachim
J
Boldt
Stefan W
SW
Suttner
Swen N
SN
Piper
Andreas
A
Lehmann
Markus
M
Blome
D000368:Aged; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000097:blood; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000097:blood; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D010179:Pancreas / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000073718:Pancreatitis-Associated Proteins; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation; D013997:Time Factors
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015415:Biomarkers; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007527:Isoenzymes; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D000073718:Pancreatitis-Associated Proteins; C000612141:REG3A protein, human; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D008012:Lidocaine; C001173:monoethylglycinexylidide; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; C119995:glutathione S-transferase alpha