Biocompatibility of heparin-coated extracorporeal bypass circuits: New heparin bonded Bioline system

Biocompatibility of a new type of heparin-coated cardiopulmonary bypass equ ipment, the Bioline, was evaluated in coronary artery bypass surgery cases. The heparin-coated (H) group (n = 15; Quadrox Bioline oxygenator/reservior and Carmeda BioMedicus BP-80 centrifugal pump) was compared with the nonhe parin-coated (N) group (n = 12, uncoated, otherwise similar oxygenator, cen trifugal pump, tubing, and filter set). Both groups used full systemic hepa rinization. The peak values of neutrophil elastase, C3a, IL-6, and IL-8 at 2 h after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and C3a levels at the end of CPB an d at 2 h after CPB were significantly reduced in the PI group compared with those of the N group. However, no statistically significant intergroup dif ferences were observed in thrombin-antithrombin complex, D-dimer, beta-thro mboglobulin, or platelet factor-4. No significant differences were observed in hemostasis time, postoperative 12 h blood loss, required amount of bloo d transfusion, or intubation time. In conclusion, the Bioline demonstrated partially improved biocompatibility, in terms of leukocyte and complement a ctivation, and proinflammatory cytokine production. However, it did not imp rove platelet activation, coagulation, or fibrinolysis cascade under full s ystemic heparinization. As a result, the clinical beneficial impact seemed to be the minimum.