Mannose-binding lectin is involved in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome after cardiac surgery: effects of blood transfusions.
BACKGROUND
Serum levels of mannose-binding lectin (MBL), a recognition molecule of the lectin pathway of complement, are highly variable, based on genetic variation. After cardiac surgery, extracorporeal circulation and ischemia-reperfusion injury initiate a systemic inflammatory response, which can evolve to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Preoperative transfusions of allogeneic white blood cells (WBCs) contribute to infectious and inflammatory complications. This study investigates the role of MBL in relation to blood transfusions and complications after cardiac surgery.


METHODS
In cardiac surgery patients who participated in a randomized trial comparing leukoreduced with buffy coat-depleted red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, circulating MBL was measured pre- and postoperatively by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were related to the incidence of complications and to the transfusions the patients received.


RESULTS
Patients with high preoperative serum MBL levels (>400 ng/mL) show a significant (52 +/- 12%) decrease of serum MBL postoperatively, whereas patients with low serum MBL levels (< or =400 ng/mL) show a significant increase of serum MBL levels after surgery (140 +/- 106%), which was further enhanced by fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) transfusions. MBL levels were not associated with infections, sepsis, or death. Patients with MBL deficiency (MBL < or = 80 ng/mL) were protected against development of MODS (p = 0.016), whereas FFP transfusion abolished this protection (p = 0.048).


CONCLUSIONS
Cardiac surgery is associated with MBL consumption, independent of the transfusion of allogeneic WBCs. Patients with MBL deficiency develop no MODS, unless they have been transfused with FFP, which is associated with MBL reconstitution. Therefore, sustained MBL deficiency may be a favorable status for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Bilgin
Yavuz M
YM
Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. bilginyavuz@hotmail.com
Brand
Anneke
A
Berger
Stefan P
SP
Daha
Mohamed R
MR
Roos
Anja
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013903:Thoracic Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin