Leucocyte depleting filters and cardiothoracic surgery

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Abstract
Leucocyte filtration technology is now beginning to be used in cardiothoracic surgery. The leucocyte depletion of banked homologous blood has been shown to reduce its immunosuppressive effects, along with a range of other benefits. Use of such a blood product appears to be an attractive option during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) as this procedure is recognized as causing immune disturbance and long-term immunosuppression. White-cell removal filters also appear to have a novel application in the reduction of neutrophil-mediated damage associated with CPB procedures. A strong database from animal work has been recently supplemented by human data that shows clinical benefits from autologous white-cell removal by filtration.