Clinical Evaluation of Minimized Extracorporeal Circulation in High-risk Coronary Revascularization: Impact on Air Handling, Inflammation, Hemodilution and Myocardial Function

Objective: We examined intraoperative microembolic signals (GME), inflammatory response, hemolysis, perioperative regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO(2)), myocardial protection and desorbed protein amount on oxygenator fibers in high-risk patients undergoing coronary revascularization (CABG) with minimized and conventional cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods: Over a ten-month period, 40 Euroscore 6+ patients undergoing CABG were prospectively randomized to one of the two perfusion protocols (N=20): Group 1: minimized extracorporeal circuits (Mini-CPB) (ROCsafe MPC, Terumo, Ann Arbor, MI, USA) and Group 2: conventional extracorporeal circuits (CECC) (Capiox SX18, Terumo, USA). Serum creatinine kinase-MB (CKMB), free hemoglobin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C3a levels were measured. Blood samples were collected at T1: following induction of anesthesia; T2: thromboelastography control; T3:15 min after commencement of CPB; T4: before cessation of CPB; T5: 15 min after protamine reversal and T6: ICU.

Results: Serum IL-6 levels were significantly lower in the Mini-CPB group at T4 and T5 and C3a levels were significantly less in the Mini-CPB group at T3, T4 and T5 vs. CECC (p<0.01). CKMB levels in coronary sinus blood demonstrated well preserved myocardium in the Mini-CPB group. Percentage expression of neutrophil CD11b/CD18 levels were significantly lower in the Mini-CPB group at T4 and T5 (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in air handling characteristics or free plasma hemoglobin levels in either circuit. rSO(2) measurements were significantly better at T3 and T4 in the Mini-CPB vs. CECC (p<0.05) and always higher in the Mini-CPB during follow-up. Blood protein adsorption analysis of oxygenator membranes demonstrated a significantly increased amount of microalbumin on CECC fibers (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Mini-CPB provided a comfort and safety level similar to conventional control via satisfactory air handling, attenuated inflammatory response and hemodilution, with a better clinical outcome in patients undergoing high-risk CABG.