Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
A Recovery Cardiopulmonary Bypass Model Without Transfusion or Inotropic Agents in Rats
Published on: March 23, 2018
The release of systemic inflammatory mediators is independent of cardiopulmonary bypass temperature
Bodil S Rasmussen1, Jørn Sollid, Lise Knudsen
1Department of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Center for Cardiovascular Research, Aalborg Hospital, Aarhus University, Aalborg, Denmark. an.bsr@nja.dk
Insights
Mild hypothermia (32°C) versus normothermia (36°C) during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) did not affect inflammatory mediator release in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients. Inflammatory responses were similar regardless of CPB temperature.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Immunology
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery often involves cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), which can trigger a systemic inflammatory response.
- Understanding the impact of CPB temperature on this response is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of systemic CPB temperature on the production of key inflammatory mediators during CABG surgery.
- To compare inflammatory mediator release between mild hypothermic (32°C) and normothermic (36°C) CPB.
Main Methods:
- A randomized clinical study was conducted at a university hospital.
- Thirty patients undergoing first-time CABG surgery were randomized to either hypothermic (32°C) or normothermic (36°C) CPB.
- Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, C-reactive protein (CRP), cortisol, and neutrophils were measured at multiple time points.
Main Results:
- The systemic inflammatory response, including cytokine, CRP, cortisol, and neutrophil levels, was independent of CPB temperature.
- Peak concentrations of IL-10 were observed at sternal closure, followed by IL-6, IL-8, cortisol, neutrophils, and CRP.
- Lower postoperative drainage was noted in the normothermic CPB group (p=0.02), with no difference in transfusion requirements.
Conclusions:
- Mild hypothermia (32°C) versus normothermia (36°C) during CPB does not alter the release of systemic inflammatory mediators after cardiac surgery.
- The inflammatory mediator release profile following CABG surgery is consistent across both tested CPB temperatures.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of systemic CPB temperature on the production of the key mediators of the systemic inflammatory response to coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
Design:
Randomized clinical study.
Setting:
University hospital.
Participants:
Thirty patients undergoing first-time CABG surgery.
Interventions:
The patients were randomized to hypothermic (32 degrees C, n = 15) or normothermic (36 degrees C, n = 15) CPB.
Measurements And Main Results:
Plasma interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, C-reactive protein (CRP), cortisol, and neutrophils were measured the day before operation, at closure of the sternum, and 4, 16, and 44 hours later. The cytokine, CRP, cortisol, and neutrophil responses were independent of temperature during CPB with peak concentrations of IL-10 at closure of the sternum followed by IL-6, IL-8, cortisol, neutrophils, and finally CRP. A correlation between maximal plasma concentrations of IL-10 and cortisol was seen in both groups after surgery (p = 0.02). Drainage after surgery was lower after normothermic CPB (p=0.02), with no difference in the requirement for blood transfusion. All patients were discharged from the intensive care unit within 24 hours after surgery.
Conclusions:
The release of systemic inflammatory mediators after cardiac surgery was independent of mild hypothermia (32 degrees C) versus normothermia (36 degrees C) during CPB.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Acute Inflammation III: Local and Systemic Effects
01:30Inflammatory Response I: Vascular and Cellular