Cytokine and Lipid Mediator Blood Concentrations After Coronary Artery Surgery

Abstract
This study investigates whether increased levels of cytokines and lipid mediators may be associated with complications after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with extracorporeal circulation (ECC).Hemodynamic measurements and blood samples were obtained in 32 patients before and after the end of ECC and at the 6th and the 24th postoperative hours. Coagulation and pulmonary and cardiovascular functions were specifically assessed post-operatively at the same time. Patients with cardiovascular dysfunction had higher interleukin 8 (IL-8) levels. Higher platelet-activating factor (PAF) and decreased PAF acetylhydrolase activity (AHA, the enzyme that inactivates PAF) levels were found in patients with moderate cardiovascular dysfunction. Interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, and AHA levels correlated with most hemodynamic parameters and creatine phosphokinase myocardial band levels obtained after surgery. Patients with severe lung injury had lower PAF, 6-keto prostaglandin (Pg)F1 alpha, and PgE2 levels and higher thromboxane (Tx) B2 concentrations compared with patients without lung injury. Increased IL6 levels were only associated with moderate lung injury. Impaired hemostasis was associated with higher IL6 levels. AHA, IL-6, and IL-8 seem to be associated with cardiovascular dysfunction. The IL-6 blood levels and the ratio of TxB2/6 keto-PgF1 alpha blood levels are increased during post-CABG lung injury. These results identify an association between specific post-CABG complications and the systemic inflammatory response. The clinical significance of this association remains to be evaluated. Implications: Patients with pulmonary, cardiovascular, or hemostasis dysfunction after cardiopulmonary bypass demonstrate aberrancies in a variety of cytokines and lipid mediators in arterial blood or plasma. The relationship between these findings and inflammatory response-induced complications remains to be determined. (Anesth Analg 1997;85:1240-6)