title: Can pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass prevent perioperative renal dysfunction during myocardial revascularization in elderly patients?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We recently demonstrated that pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) versus standard linear CPB is associated with better perioperative renal function. Since older subjects have a higher risk of acute renal failure, we have extended our study to evaluate the specific impact of pulsatile CPB on the perioperative renal function in elderly patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 50 patients with normal preoperative renal function: they were stratified by age (65-75 vs. 50-64 years) and randomized to nonpulsatile (group A) or pulsatile CPB (group B). Twenty-seven patients aged > or =50 years and <65 years were randomized to group A (n = 12) or to group B (n = 15) and 23, aged > or =65 years and < or =75 years, to group A (n = 13) or to group B (n = 10). Glomerular filtrate rate (GFR), daily diuresis, lactatemia and other parameters were measured during the pre- and perioperative period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The percent perioperative decrease in GFR was lower in group A than in group B (p < 0.001), without differences between older and younger patients. By contrast, perioperative plasma lactate levels were higher in group A than in group B (p < 0.001), both in older and younger patients. No difference was observed for 24 h urine output and blood urea nitrogen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pulsatile CPB preserves renal function better than standard CPB even in patients older than 65. CPB could be adopted as the procedure of choice in this subgroup of patients.
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Unit, Magna Graecia University, Viale Europa, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Pierangela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Presta
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Onorati
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fuiano
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mastroroberto
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Santarpino
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tozzo
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andreucci
authors.forename: Attilio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Renzulli
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fuiano
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome