BIOCOMPATIBILITY OF HEPARIN-COATED CIRCUITS USED IN CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS

The combined effect of heparin coating of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuits and reduced dose of systemic heparin on activation of the co mplement system and blood leukocytes was investigated in 19 patients u ndergoing coronary bypass surgery and randomly allocated to two groups . A heparin-coated CPB circuit together with a 50% reduction of the st andard heparin dose were used for ten patients (HC group), and a stand ard CPB circuit with a standard heparin dose (300 IU/kg) for nine (C g roup). Significant rise in the levels of neutrophil-derived myeloperox idase, lactoferrin and calprotectin were observed during CPB in both g roups, but the total accumulated levels were significantly lower in th e HC than in the C group (p < 0.05). Complement activation, assessed f rom levels of C3a and terminal complement complexes was similar in bot h groups. The lower levels of myeloperoxidase, lactoferrin and calprot ectin during CPB in the HC group indicate that surface modification wi th endpoint attached heparin enhances the biocompatibility of CPB.