Perioperative immunoglobulin E response to coronary artery bypass grafting

Serial estimation of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentration in 30 consecutive male patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting revealed three patterns--a low, middle and high response--during the perioperative period. The mean IgE level was higher in patients with higher mean preoperative left ventricular ejection fractions and these patients had a higher left ventricular stroke work index. However, there was no correlation with the severity of coronary artery disease or with degree of adequacy of revascularisation. Mean IgE level correlated moderately well with the mean right ventricular stroke work index and mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and minimally with the triple index. A higher level of IgE was usually observed with better cardiac performance and may be associated with factors related to the pulmonary circulation. However we could neither confirm nor refute whether an elevated level of IgE indicated an increased risk of cardiovascular events or a "protected status" against the complications of necrotising ischemia.