[Complement activation in extracorporeal circulation. Comparison of nylon versus polyester bubble oxygenators].

Complement activation during cardiopulmonary bypass is well known and may influence postoperative morbidity. As nylon can particularly induce complement activation, its influence was assessed by measuring total haemolytic complement and B, C3 and C4 factors, during cardiopulmonary bypass with bubble oxygenators for coronary surgery, comparing "nylon" circuits (20 patients, Bentley BOS 10) versus "polyester" circuits (19 patients, Shiley S 100 A). Complement activation began with induction of anaesthesia and surgical procedures, B, C3 and C4 levels falling significantly (respectively 15, 17 and 20% from baseline values). The alternative pathway was activated before the classical pathway. Complement activation continued during cardiopulmonary bypass, with no more consumption of complement factors (slight variations of about 0 to 3% of the levels found after anaesthetic induction and surgical procedures). No statistically significant difference appeared between the two groups. This suggested that nylon did not significantly increase complement activation during cardiopulmonary bypass. The bubble oxygenator material cannot therefore be considered as a criterion for choosing the type of equipment.