Decrease of total antioxidant capacity during coronary artery bypass surgery

Cardiac surgery induces an oxidative stress, which may lead to impairment of cardiac function. In this study, we aimed to measure the changes of oxidative and antioxidative status of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).

We studied 79 patients who underwent CABG with and without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Of the 79 patients, 39 had CPB and 40 did not. Blood samples were drawn before, during, and after the surgery. Antioxidant status was evaluated by measuring total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and oxidative status was evaluated by measuring total peroxide (TP) levels and oxidative stress index (OSI).

TP and OSI levels increased, while TAC decreased progressively after the beginning of surgery, for all patients. There were negative correlations between TAC levels and aortic cross-clamping period and anastomosis time ( r = -0.553, p < 0.001 and r = -0.500, p < 0.001, respectively). In addition, there was a positive correlation between TAC and ejection fraction (r = 0.647, p < 0.001).

During CABG, oxidant and OSI levels significantly increase and TAC significantly decreases. This situation is influenced by long CPB and anastomosis time, and also by low ventricular ejection fraction. We concluded that the patients who undergo CABG are exposed to potent oxidative stress that impairs their TAC. We speculate that supplementation with antioxidant vitamins such as vitamins C and E may be beneficial for patients undergoing CABG.