Effect of leukocyte-depleted blood cardioplegia on the early outcome in patients with preserved left ventricular function undergoing surgical revascularisation.

Background: It has been shown that leukocytes play one of the key roles in the myocardial reperfusion injury.

Aim: To examine the effects of cardiac protection with leukocyte-depleted blood cardioplegia on the early outcome of patients with preserved left ventricular function who undergo surgical revascularisation.

Methods: The study group consisted of 58 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) who were randomised to receive leukocyte-depleted blood cardioplegia (leukocyte filter Pall BC1B) (group A, n=29) or to receive standard blood cardioplegia (group B, n=29). Peri-operative mortality and morbidity as well as haemodynamical and biochemical parameters were compared between these two groups.

Results: No early death occurred. There were no statistical differences in clinical data between the groups. Only cardiac index measured 24 hours after declamping of aorta was significantly higher in group A than in group B (3.6+/-0.6 l/min/m(2) vs 2.95+/-0.45 l/min/m(2), p<0.05). Group B showed significant higher release of creatine kinase (CK) 6 and 12 hours, and CK-MB 6, 12, and 24 hours after unclumping the aorta whereas troponin I level was similar in both groups.

Conclusions: The use of leukocyte-depleted blood cardioplegia during elective CABG did not improve the early outcome.