HEPARIN COATING OF AN EXTRACORPOREAL CIRCUIT PARTLY IMPROVES HEMOSTASIS AFTER CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS

Heparin coating of an extracorporeal circuit for cardiopulmonary bypas s improves the hemocompatibility of the circuit and reduces the inflam matory response of the body. It has not been established, however, tha t heparin coating also improves postoperative hemostasis. We therefore performed a study in 30 patients who underwent a routine coronary art ery bypass graft operation subjected to cardiopulmonary bypass with an uncoated (control) or a heparin-coated extracorporeal circuit (Durafl o II). We found significantly higher plasma levels of heparin in the D uraflo II group. However, we found no significant differences between the two groups with regard to other parameters of activation of the fi brinolytic and coagulation systems and to activation of platelets. Pos toperative blood loss and donor blood transfusions were reduced in the Duraflo II group but not to a statistically significant extent. We co nclude that heparin coating of an extracorporeal circuit improves anti coagulation but does not significantly reduce platelet activation, fib rinolysis, postoperative blood loss, and donor blood transfusions in r outine coronary bypass operations.