Apoptosis-specific activation markers in on- versus off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients.

Background: The relation of epithelial/endothelial apoptosis and secretion of death-inducing receptors (DIR) in comparison to vascular adhesion molecules is not known in patients undergoing the On- versus Off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedure.

Methods: 30 patients were prospectively included in the study (On- vs. Off-pump CABG, each n = 15). Serum samples were obtained prior to, and 30 minutes, 60 minutes and 24 hours after CABG operation. ELISA was utilized to detect caspase-cleaved cytokeratin-18 (CK18) by means of M30 antibody, soluble VCAM-1, soluble ICAM-1, and soluble DIR TNFR-1 and CD95.

Results: Soluble caspase-cleaved CK18 was increased and leveled to initial values at 24 hrs. sICAM-1 showed a significant decrease at 30 minutes and 60 minutes in comparison to preoperative values. sTNFR-1/sCD95 showed a rise that was not significant to preoperative values.

Conclusion: These results indicate for the first time that epithelial/endothelial apoptosis is occurring in patients undergoing bypass operation, irrespective of the CABG procedure selected.