Pulmonary artery perfusion does not improve brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in suine experimental research.

Objective: Assess if the main pulmonary artery controlled perfusion over cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) modifies BNP levels expressed by the ventricular myocardium.

Methods: Experimental research involving 32 pigs, divided into two groups according to CPB strategy--group I (cardioplegia) and group II (beating heart). Both groups were allocated into three subgroups according to lung perfusion strategy--subgroup A (control: no lung perfusion), subgroup B (lung perfusion with arterial blood) and subgroup C (lung perfusion with venous blood).