The effects of heparin coated circuits on pulmonary injury. A clinical study.
OBJECTIVE
Heparin-coated circuits have dramatic effects on the coagulation cascade, but their role on complement activation has not been clearly defined. In this clinical study the effect of heparin-coated circuits on static lung compliance and pulmonary vascular resistance is described.


METHODS
Thirty patients were randomly divided into two groups: with either a heparin-coated circuit or an identical but non-coated circuit control group. In the heparin-coated group, all the blood contacting surfaces were treated with immobilized heparin (Duraflo II.)


RESULTS
Early postoperative pulmonary function is determined with measurements of static lung compliance, pulmonary vascular resistance and arterial blood gases. Static lung compliance was significantly better in the heparin coated (HC) group in the early postoperative period (p=0.001). Pulmonary vascular resistance was significantly lower in the heparin-coated (HC) group in the early postoperative period (p=0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
We believe that the method of heparin binding may play a role in its diminished effect on complement activation, but the general augmentation of the circuit's biocompatibility may explain its beneficial effect on pulmonary vascular resistance and static lung compliance.
Kazaz
H
H
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Dokuz Eylül, Izmir, Turkey. hakki@kazaz.nom.tr
Oto
O
O
Sariosmanoglu
N
N
Hazan
E
E
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000502:physiology; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008170:Lung Compliance / Q000502:physiology; D055370:Lung Injury; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000502:physiology; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology
D000925:Anticoagulants; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D006493:Heparin