Effect of Surgery With and Without Whole Body Perfusion on Plasma 17-Hydroxycorticosteroids in Man

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Abstract
The plasma concentration of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids was determined during and after operation with and without whole body perfusion. All patients had increased concentrations during operation. No change in concentration was found during whole body perfusion at 30[degree] or 36[degree] C. The maximal increase occurred 6 hr. postoperatively in the patients without perfusion and in the perfused patients with benign courses. In the group of patients with perfusion who had difficult postoperative courses, the plasma concentration of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids paralleled the clinical course: the values decreased at a rate inversely proportional to the degree of postoperative stress. Preoperative levels were not reached in the postoperative period. A postoperative plateau was recorded in the group without perfusion by the 2nd postoperative day and, in the perfused group with benign course, on the 5th day. The study revealed that high blood concentrations of corticosteroids could develop in patients severely ill after openheart surgery.