ABSTRACT
Objective: To discuss the values of serum S100 protein in evaluating the cerebral injuries during and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods: 40 patients (25 valve replacement, 13 simple congenital heart disease, 2 valve replacement plus CABG) were studied. Serum S100 protein was serially assessed at different time intervals and the patients' neuropyscological complications were recorded. Results: S100 was not detected before CPB, and it reached its peak level at the termination of CPB, then gradually decrease to the preoperative levels. Three patients with the highest level appeared neuropyscological mobidity. Conclusion: S100 protein has significant change during CPB, and may reflect both the severity of the cerebral injury and increased permeability of the blood brain barrier. Its level has very great significance in evaluating cerebral injuries.