Transient Th1/Th2 disbalance indicates postoperative effusions and edema after cardiopulmonary bypass in children.

Background: Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) induces substantial release of IL-10, indicating increased Th2 cell response. Therefore, in this study, we wanted to verify if this response is due to CPB or surgical trauma, and to study its relation to postoperative effusions and edema (POEE) in children.

Methods: Th1/Th2 reaction was monitored in children undergoing cardiovascular surgery with (n = 75) and without CPB (n = 29).

Results: Surgery with CPB compared to surgery without CPB induced a transient shift towards Th2. Elevated Th2 response was related to increased vascular permeability and POEE.

Conclusion: The immune suppression/Th2 response is typical for CPB, and at intermediate level is tolerable but at high level could be adverse for the patients.