Protective effect of sevoflurane on vascular endothelial glycocalyx in patients undergoing heart valve surgery: A randomised controlled trial.

Background: The glycocalyx plays an important physiological role and may be damaged during cardiopulmonary bypass. Sevoflurane can protect the glycocalyx; however, its relevance in a clinical setting is unknown.

Objective: Glycocalyx degradation during cardiopulmonary bypass in patients was investigated.

Correlation between acute degradation of the endothelial glycocalyx and microcirculation dysfunction during cardiopulmonary bypass in cardiac surgery.

Objective: The association between the shedding of the endothelial glycocalyx (EG) and the pathogenesis of microcirculatory perfusion disturbances has been discussed in experimental studies. This discussion, however, has limited relevance in a clinical setting. We investigated EG shedding in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and its association with alterations in microvascular perfusion.