Use of warm priming solution in open heart surgery: its effects on hemodynamics and acute inflammation

Cardiac surgery causes an acute inflammatory response and organ damage. In this study, for the first time in the literature, we compared the effects of priming solutions at 20 degrees C and 36 degrees C on acute inflammatory markers and hemodynamic parameters. Forty patients were recruited and randomized into two groups, each consisting of 20 participants who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting operation. Groups were primed with the same solution at different temperatures. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded. Blood samples were drawn pre-operatively and at the 15(th) and 60(th) minutes of aortic cross-clamping and the 24(th) hour following surgery. Serum pre-albumin, alpha-1 antitrypsin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels were determined. The groups were compared statistically. Both of the groups were comparable for mean aortic cross-clamping time and mean time for cardiopulmonary bypass. Mean blood pressure value was significantly lower and the mean amount of ephedrine hydrochloride used was significantly higher in the cold priming group. Spontaneous beating of the heart after removal of aortic cross-clamp significantly was more frequent in the warm priming group. A significant rise was observed in systemic inflammatory markers in the cold priming group. In our study, the lesser amount of ephedrine hydrochloride used and the higher frequency of spontaneous beating of the heart in the warm priming group may be considered as improvements in hemodynamic status. Use of warm priming solution also induced a significant improvement in the acute inflammatory markers. We recommend the use of warm priming solution in open heart surgery.