Effect of cardiopulmonary bypass on neutrophil activity in pediatric open-heart surgery.

Introduction: The nature of the participation of neutrophils in the post-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) inflammatory response is not very clear. The aim of our study was to investigate alterations in neutrophil phagocytic activity and adhesion molecule expression on these cells in children during and after CPB.

Material/methods: Twenty-one children aged 6-33 months with congenital heart disease, scheduled for pri mary corrective surgery, were enrolled.