Complement and leukocyte changes during major vascular surgery

To gain further insight into the effects of major vascular surgery involving the abdominal aorta on complement and leukocytes, serial measurements of leukocyte and differential counts, plasma concentrations of C3d, and granulocyte elastase bound to alpha1 proteinase inhibitor (E-alpha1PI) were made after aorta declamping in a group of patients not receiving blood or plasma. In the hours after declamping, lymphocyte count decreased, whereas an increase was noticed in leukocytes, neutrophils, and plasma E-alpha1PI. Complement activation was not found. Previous reports on complement activation during aortic surgery probably reflect the administration of blood and plasma during the surgical procedures. Whether aortic cross-clamping or interaction between granulocytes and the aortic prothesis is responsible for the release of lysosomal enzymes during the procedure warrants further studies.