THE FACTORS EFFECTING COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION IN OPEN-HEART-SURGERY

The activation of the complement system was investigated in 10 patient s with rheumatic valve disease having heart surgery. The C3c, C4, leuk ocyte count and polymorphonuclear neutrophil count were determined in the blood samples taken before anaesthesia, after anaesthesia, 10 minu tes after protamine administration and after the closure of the skin i ncision. In addition, atrial blood samples were taken after the releas e of the cross-clamp and pulmonary neutrophil trapping was investigate d. In this study C3c and C4 consumption was found to take place after 30 minutes of CPB (cardiopulmonary bypass) and 10 minutes after protam ine administration; the affects of anaesthesia and heparin were not si gnificant.