Prophylaxis of postoperative infections after open-heart surgery by administration of human pepsinated immunoglobulin

The present controlled study examines the effect of intravenously administered human pepsinated immunoglobulin G (HPIG, Gamma-Venin) on the postoperative incidence of infections in patients undergoing heart surgery supported by extracorporeal circulation. This particular form of surgery normally produces markedly diminished serum IgG levels, but the results of the study showed that these recovered more rapidly after treatment with HPIG. A statistically significant difference in the number of infections between the group treated with HPIG and the control group (p less than 0.05) was found. It may be concluded that, with regard to postoperative infection, patients undergoing open-heart surgery may benefit from the administration of HPIG.