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) and nonpulsatile (NP) normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Twenty-eight patients were randomly assigned to different CPB management: 15 patients were assigned to group 'P', 13 patients to group 'NP'. During normothermic extracorporeal circulation, group 'P' received pulsatile perfusion, while group 'NP' received nonpulsatile perfusion. Levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine 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 collected, and the postoperative course was analysed. Epinephrine levels were markedly increased during CPB in both groups, while norepinephrine increased more in group NP in comparison with group P. No significant difference was found in fluid administration, transfusion, drugs usage, or postoperative complications. Normothermic pulsatile CPB seems to achieve reduced levels of norepinephrine. A clinical beneficial effect of this finding was not demonstrated during the study.