CARDIOVASCULAR ENGINEERING Journal for Extracorporeal Circulation, Assist Devices,Transplantation and Artificial Organs
	Volume 2, 1997, No 1

Proteolysis and Complement Activation During Open Heart Surgery in Children

K. Saatvedt, H. Lindberg, O. R. Geiran, T. E. Mollnes

Abstract:
Extracorporeal circulation has made it possible to correct complex congenital heart diseases. In addition to a major surgical trauma, these children are exposed to foreign surfaces of the extracorporeal circuit, organ ischemia and reperfusion, and the obligate use of heparin and protamin. These factors will trigger and activate inflammatory cascades including the plasma protease and the complement systems. The activation of these systems contribute to the whole body inflammatory system. Many of these changes are well documented in the adult population, but studies in the pediatric population are rare. We conclude from this short review that pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass activates the coagulation, the fibrinolytic, the plasma kallikrein-kinin and the complement systems. The total proteolytic activity, measured by the PFI index, correlates to duration of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Keywords:
cardiopulmonary bypass, coagulation system, fibrinolytic system, plasma kallikrein-kinin system, complement system, congenital heart defects

Address for Correspondence:

Reference:
(CVE. 1997; 2 (1): 61-64)

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