ABSTRACT
The activation of the complement system was investigated in 10 patients with rheumatic valve disease having heart surgery. The C3c, C4, leukocyte count and polymorphonuclear neutrophil count were determined in the blood samples taken before anaesthesia, after anaesthesia, 10 minutes after protamine administration and after the closure of the skin incision. In addition, atrial blood samples were taken after the release of the cross-clamp and pulmonary neutrophil trapping was investigated. In this study C3c and C4 consumption was found to take place after 30 minutes of CPB (cardiopulmonary bypass) and 10 minutes after protamine administration; the affects of anaesthesia and heparin were not significant.
Subject(s)
Cardiopulmonary Bypass , Complement Activation/drug effects , Heparin/pharmacology , Protamines/pharmacology , Adult , Anesthesia , Complement C3/analysis , Complement C4/analysis , Drug Interactions , Female , Humans , Leukocyte Count , Lung/cytology , Male , Middle Aged , NeutrophilsABSTRACT
We have used umbilical veins as experimental graft materials for superior vena cava replacement. The patency rate of these grafts in 25 laboratory animals was 96%; the mortality and graft thrombosis rate was 4%. Histopathologically, no evidence of rejection was detected in the graft material. These results suggest that umbilical veins are superior to other prosthetic materials as grafts in venous surgery.
