Inflammatory and fibrinolytic activation after coronary artery bypass with extracorporeal circulation

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the course of the main inflammatory and fibrinolytic markers in patients undergoing primary elective coronary artery bypass graft with extracorporeal circulation. METHODS: One hundred and thirteen patients (105 males, 8 females) undergoing primary isolated coronary artery bypass with normo- (37 degrees C) or hypothermic (26 degrees C) systemic perfusion were prospectively studied. The clinical course of the patients was recorded and inflammatory and fibrinolytic markers (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, interleukin-6, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, platelets and white blood cell counts) were determined before surgery, 24, 48 and 72 hours thereafter, and at hospital discharge. RESULTS: Two patients died (mortality 1.7%) and 6 had a major complication (event free survival > 94%). Interleukin-6, lymphocyte, neutrophil and monocyte levels increased after surgery but returned to normal at hospital discharge. C-reactive protein levels increased after 24 hours and remained high at hospital discharge. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time increased from few hours postoperatively and returned to normal before discharge. Platelets decreased immediately after surgery and normalized only at hospital discharge. Fibrinogen decreased in the first 24 postoperative hours, raised later and remained elevated at hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiopulmonary bypass activates inflammatory response and hemostatic/fibrinolytic balance in patients undergoing primary isolated coronary artery bypass.