The human heart releases cardiotrophin-1 after coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Objectives: Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) is closely linked to many cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction and heart failure, and exhibits cardioprotective effect in ischemia-reperfusion injury. The present study was designed to investigate the course of CT-1 in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and to evaluate the relationship between plasma CT-1 levels and postoperative cardiac function.

Methods: Twenty-four patients undergoing elective CABG were studied. Radial artery blood samples were collected before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), 5 min and 20 min after reperfusion, and 1 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after CPB. Coronary sinus blood samples were collected before CPB, 5 min and 20 min after reperfusion. Plasma CT-1 levels were measured using the ELISA method. Hemodynamic data were collected.

Results: Peripheral CT-1 levels did not change significantly postoperatively. Trans-myocardial CT-1 levels increased significantly 5 min and 20 minutes after reperfusion as compared to baseline. A weak positive correlation (r = 0.408, p = 0.048) was found between trans-myocardial CT-1 levels at 20 min after reperfusion and CI at 12 h after CPB.

Conclusions: The heart secretes CT-1 after ischemic injury. The precise effect of CT-1 in CABG needs further investigation.