Methylprednisolone use is associated with endothelial cell activation following cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the perioperative use of methylprednisolone in medium doses on markers of endothelial cell activation in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: In this prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomised study, 44 patients, undergoing a coronary artery bypass graft surgery received either methylprednisolone 20 mg/kg or a placebo intraoperatively after anaesthesia induction. The primary endpoint was endothelin-1, and secondary endpoints were E-selectin, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10, PaO(2)/FiO(2) coefficient, and microalbuminuria. RESULTS: Endothelin-1 was higher in the study group postoperatively at 10 min (p=0.0008), 2 h (p=0.02), 4 h (p=0.005), and 24 h (p=0.004). IL-6 was lower in the study group postoperatively at 2 h (p=0.03), 4 h (p=0.04), and 24 h (p<0.0001). IL-10 was higher in the study group postoperatively at 10 min (p<0.0001), 2 h (p=0.009), and 4 h (p=0.001). PaO(2)/FiO(2) was lower in the study group at 24 h after surgery (p=0.03). Microalbuminuria was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Despite an obvious anti-inflammatory effect, methylprednisolone causes endothelial cell activation in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.

Levosimendan versus an intra-aortic balloon pump in high-risk cardiac patients.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that levosimendan is more effective than intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support in cardiac surgical patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction to decrease cardiac troponin I levels (primary endpoint) and improve hemodynamics. DESIGN: Prospective randomized trial. SETTING: Tertiary cardiothoracic referral center. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular ejection fraction <35% who underwent surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. INTERVENTION: Patients were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 groups. Group A received a prophylactic IABP one day before surgery. Group B received a prophylactic IABP one day before surgery and a levosimendan infusion at a dose of 0.1 µg/kg/min with an initial bolus (12 µg/kg for 10 minutes) after anesthesia induction. Group C received a levosimendan infusion at a dose of 0.1 µg/kg/min with an initial bolus (12 µg/kg for 10 minutes) after anesthesia induction. Hemodynamic and biochemical data and rate of complications were analyzed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The cardiac troponin I level in group C 6 hours after surgery was lower than in group A (p = 0.048). The cardiac index in group A was significantly lower than in groups B and C. The intensive care unit stay was significantly shorter in group C than in groups A and B (p = 0.001). The need for inotropic support, the rate of complications, and mortality among groups did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: The infusion of levosimendan after anesthesia induction in cardiac surgical patients contributes to lower cardiac troponin I levels and improved hemodynamics compared with a preoperative IABP.