Are changes in serum immunoglobulin and complement levels following open heart surgery influenced by oxygenator type...

The serum IgG and IgA concentrations significantly decreased through the seventh day and the serum IgM and complement (C3 and C4) concentrations through the second day after elective open heart surgery for heart valve disease in a series of 16 patients. A significant increase over the preoperative concentration was seen, however, in the serum IgA, IgM, C3 and C4 on day 14 postoperatively. The serum IgG and IgM concentrations declined significantly only in patients perfused by a bubble oxygenator, although the two small series of patients perfused by bubble and membrane oxygenator did not differ significantly from each other. Parenteral nutrition had no effect on postoperative changes in serum immunoglobulin and complement concentrations.