Pulsatile normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass and plasma catecholamine levels

The aim of the study was to assess plasma catecholamine levels in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization and relate them to pulsatile (P) an d nonpulsatile (NP) normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Twenty-eight patients were randomly assigned to different CPB management: 15 patients w ere assigned to group 'P', 13 patients to group 'NP'. During normothermic e xtracorporeal circulation, group 'P' received pulsatile perfusion, while gr oup 'NP' received nonpulsatile perfusion. Levels of epinephrine and norepin ephrine were evaluated during the operation and in the intensive care unit (ICU), at seven time points. Haemodynamic assessment was performed at four time points in the same period. Demographic and surgical data were collecte d, and the postoperative course was analysed. Epinephrine levels were marke dly increased during CPB in both groups, white norepinephrine increased mor e in group NP in comparison with group P No significant difference was foun d in fluid administration, transfusion, drugs usage, or postoperative compl ications. Normothermic pulsatile CPB seems to achieve reduced revels of nor epinephrine. A clinical beneficial effect of this finding was not demonstra ted during the study.