Apoptosis-specific activation markers in on- versus off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients.

Background: The relation of epithelial/endothelial apoptosis and secretion of death-inducing receptors (DIR) in comparison to vascular adhesion molecules is not known in patients undergoing the On- versus Off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedure.

Methods: 30 patients were prospectively included in the study (On- vs. Off-pump CABG, each n = 15).