[Systemic inflammation after operations on the open heart: significance of a microbial factor]

The given review of the literature discusses, from the present standpoints, the pathogenetic, clinical, and diagnostic aspects of a systemic inflammatory reaction developing during cardiac surgery under extracorporeal circulation. There is evidence that endogenous infection is of importance in developing systemic inflammation during cardiosurgical interventions. Current approaches to the early diagnosis of systemic bacterial inflammation, by applying the procalcitonin test and the chromatographic mass-chromatographic technique are proposed. The prevention of systemic inflammation and its sequels is considered.