Does the additional use of heparin-coated extracorporeal circuits (ECC) optimize the effect of modified ultrafiltration (MUF) in pediatric perfusion?

BACKGROUND: Modified ultrafiltration (MUF) has been shown to exert beneficial effects on the coagulation system and the capillary leak after pediatric cardiac surgery using extracorporeal circulation (ECC). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the additional use of heparin-coated circuits is a useful option for improving biocompatibility. METHODS: We randomized 28 children, using heparin-coated ECC circuits in group A (n = 14) and an uncoated equivalent set in group B (n = 14). After congenital heart surgery, MUF was performed post ECC in a standardized fashion. Blood samples were analyzed preoperatively, 10 min, 30 min, 1 h, and 48 h after ECC by flow cytometric analysis (FACSort) using surface antigens CD62/CD41b (platelets) and CD45/CD14 (monocytes). RESULTS: No significant difference was found with respect to mean age (20.6 months vs. 21.6 months), mean body weight (9.2 kg vs. 8.4 kg), mean ultrafiltration rate (9.1 ml/kg vs. 11.4 ml/kg), chest tube drainage, blood products, ICU stay, and 30-d survival. The percentage of CD62/CD41-positive platelets in group A (vs. B) increased up to 118 % at 60 min vs. 130 % ( P 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Heparin coating of ECC in addition to MUF leads to a lower platelet activation. Monocyte surface markers CD45 and CD14 indicated a marked activation during ECC in both groups but additional heparin coating showed a better postoperative regeneration of monocyte markers in the late course indicating a beneficial additive effect.