Cytokine secretion after cardiac surgery and its relationship to postoperative fever
John D Mitchell1, Hilary P Grocott, Barbara Phillips-Bute
1Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Division of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Insights
Post-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery fever is linked to elevated Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, suggesting inflammatory mediation. This study details cytokine patterns following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and their association with fever development in CABG patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Immunology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- The inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a known factor in post-cardiac surgery complications.
- Fever after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is common, but its direct link to specific inflammatory markers has not been thoroughly investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal patterns of key cytokine elevations following CABP.
- To determine the association between these cytokine levels and the development of fever after CABG surgery.
Main Methods:
- Serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1ra, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 were measured in 355 CABG patients before surgery and at multiple time points up to 48 hours post-CPB.
- Fever was defined as a temperature exceeding 38°C.
- Statistical analysis was performed to identify predictors of fever.
Main Results:
- Cytokine profiles exhibited distinct temporal patterns, with some showing early peaks and others a bimodal secretion pattern.
- Elevated Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and male gender were identified as significant predictors of post-CABG fever (C-index=0.68; p=0.0003).
- No significant association was found between fever and other measured cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1ra, IL-1beta, IL-8).
Conclusions:
- The study highlights a previously undescribed bimodal cytokine secretion pattern after CABG.
- The significant association between elevated IL-6 levels and fever suggests that IL-6 plays a key role in mediating post-CABG fever.
- These findings contribute to understanding the inflammatory response following cardiac surgery and may inform future management strategies.
Abstract:
A relationship between the inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and fever after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is assumed, but has not been studied. Therefore, we sought to assess the temporal pattern of cytokines' elevation and its association with post-CABG fever. In 355 primary elective CABG patients, serum cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1ra, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8) were measured before surgery, at cessation of CPB and 2.5, 4.5, 24, and 48 h post-CPB. Fever was defined as a temperature >38 degrees C. TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-8 peaked within the first 2.5 h after bypass, returning to near normal levels by 24h and increasing again by 48 h. IL-6 peaked early after bypass and remained elevated at 48 h. IL-1ra was elevated early, before returning to baseline by 24 h. Postoperative fever developed in 27% of patients. Increased IL-6 levels and male gender were significant predictors of fever (C-index=0.68; p=0.0003). No other cytokine showed a significant association with fever development. Of note is the previously undescribed bimodal pattern of cytokines' secretion after CABG. The association of fever with IL-6 levels suggests inflammatory mediation.
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