Clinical evaluation of the leukogard-6 arterial line filter.

ABSTRACT

To assess the leucocyte depleting characteristics of the Pall leukogard-6 arterial line leucocyte depleting filter, it was incorporated in the extracorporeal circuit of 30 patients with normal left ventricular function scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting. The Intersept Medtronic 40 micro arterial line filter which is normally used at our centre was used in 29 similar patients. Blood samples were drawn for estimation of total and differential leucocyte and platelet counts, blood gas analysis, superoxide dismutase levels and renal function tests at various time points. Ventilation time, length of ICU stay and incidence of infection were recorded. No significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding total leucocyte count, percentage of neutrophils and lymphocytes, platelet count, arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions, pulmonary vascular resistance, ventilation time and postoperative infection. A significant difference was observed between the prebypass levels of superoxide dismutase 89.63 +/- 49.69 SOD units/ml, and 24 hours post bypass levels 66.62 +/- 36.23 SOD units/ml, (p<0.01), in the control group. In the leukogard filter group, the difference between pre bypass levels of superoxide dismutase 82.47 +/- 50.58 SOD units/ml and 24 hours post bypass 73.44 +/- 41.10 SOD units/ml, (p>0.05), was not significant. This indicated less free radical activity in the leukogard filter group, but this beneficial effect of the leukogard-6 filter did not correlate with any clinical parameter. In this study, the leukoard-6 filter did not exhibit leucocyte depleting characteristics following cardiopulmonary bypass and is unlikely to be of significant advantage when incorporated in the extracorporeal circuit for coronary artery bypass grafting, in patients with normal ejection fraction.