[Biological aspects of extracorporeal circulation]

Two problems are looked at in this work. That of glucose which is administered in considerable quantities during ECC and that of the iso-enzymes. The administration of glucose has two aims: one being the mechanical nature i.e. as an agent which decreases the risks of platelet aggregation, the other bio-energetic. But, owing to the CRABTREEE effect, an excess of glucose blocks the biosynthesis of ATP and a non-metabolisable structural analogue which has mechanical properties identical with glucose, such as fucose or rhamnose could be supplied instead. As far as the iso-enzymes are concerned, the author after having looked at the general value from the standpoint of signs and symptoms, suggests the study of two of them, cardiac lactic-dehydrogenase and the MB fraction of creatine phosphokinase could enable the follow-up of the course and of the consequences of extra-corporeal circulation.