REDUCED COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION AND IMPROVED POSTOPERATIVE PERFORMANCE AFTER CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS WITH HEPARIN-COATED CIRCUITS

A randomized controlled trial that involved 30 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting was done to determine the effect of heparin-coated circuits and full heparinization on complement activation, neutrophil-mediated inflammatory response, and postoperative clinical recovery, Peak concentrations of terminal complement complex were 38% lower (p = 0.004) in 15 patients treated with heparin-coated circuits (median 775 mu g/L, interquartile range 600 to 996) compared with those in 15 patients treated with uncoated circuits (median 1249 mu g/L, interquartile range 988 to 1443), Although no significant intergroup differences in concentrations of polymorphonuclear neutrophil elastase were found, a positive correlation (r(s) = 0.74, p < 0.0007) was calculated between peak concentrations of terminal complement complex and polymorphonuclear neutrophil elastase, Differences in patient recovery were analyzed with use of a score composed of fluid balance, postoperative intubation time, and the difference between rectal temperature and skin temperature, The score was significantly lower in patients treated with heparin-coated circuits (p 0.03), whereas its components showed no intergroup significance, We conclude that the use of heparin-coated circuits with full systemic heparinization results in improved biocompatibility, as assessed by complement activation, and leads to an improved postoperative recovery of the patient.