Biocompatibility of silicone-coated oxygenator in cardiopulmonary bypass

Background. This study was designed to analyze the biocompatibility of sili cone-coated oxygenators using inflammatory response as the outcome measure, and to investigate whether the silicone-coated oxygenators perform better in terms of postoperative organ dysfunction. Methods. The 32 patients who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were di vided into 3 groups: group A (n = 10), hepdrin-coated circuit with silicone -coated oxygenator; group B (n = 11), whole heparin-coated circuit; and gro up C (n = 11), whole untreated circuit. The plasma concentrations of the pr oinflammatory markers, made of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis facto r-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 interleukin-8), terminal complem ent complex (C5b-9), and polymorphonuclear elastase (PMN-E), were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Results. All proinflammatory markers were significantly lower in groups A a nd B than in group C,especially C5b-9 and PMN-E concentrations, which were significantly lower in group A than in group B. The alveolar-arterial oxyge n gradients (A-aDO(2)) and the respiratory index were significantly better in group A than in group C. In group B, however, only the A-aDO(2) was sign ificantly better than in group C. The duration of intubation and the length of stay in the intensive care unit stay were significantly shorter in grou ps A and B than in group C. Conclusions. Silicone-coated oxygenators are biocompatible and prevent post operative organ dysfunction. (C) 2000 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.