Does use of cell saver decrease the inflammatory response in cardiac surgery?

The role of a cell-saver device in the inflammatory response to cardiac surgery has not been well documented. We hypothesized that the use of a cell saver may reduce proinflammatory cytokine concentrations in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

57 patients presenting for first-time nonemergency cardiac surgery were prospectively randomized to control or cell salvage groups. Blood samples for inflammatory marker assays were collected from the arterial line on induction of anesthesia, at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass, 1 h after surgery, and 24 h after surgery. Plasma proinflammatory cytokines were analyzed using a sandwich solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The highest cytokine levels were observed 1 h after surgery. When comparing serum interleukin levels in both patient groups during the different perioperative periods, we found a higher interleukin-8 concentration 24 h after the procedure, and higher concentrations of the p40 subunit of interleukin-12 at 1 h and 24 h postoperatively. The concentrations of interleukin-6 and p40 were greater in blood stored by the cardiotomy suction system than in blood processed by the cell saver (p = 0.01 in both cases). The interleukin-8 concentration was higher in the blood processed by the cell saver (p = 0.03). No significant differences were observed in interleukin-1 and interferon gamma levels in blood from both systems. Clinical outcomes were similar in both groups.

Our results suggest that cell salvage in low-risk patients undergoing their first elective cardiac procedure does not decrease the inflammatory response after surgery.