Moderate and extreme haemodilution in open-heart surgery: evaluation of haemolysis, cell damage and protein changes

Abstract

Clinical chemical data from patients operated upon in moderate and extreme haemodilution have been compared. Haemolysis was more pronounced during and after moderate dilution than in extreme dilution. A slight liver damage was found post-operatively after moderate dilution. Several changes were of about the same magnitude in both groups: Serum CK increased, reaching maximal activity 3–18 h after operation. An acute phase reaction of plasma proteins took place post-operatively, except that the concentration of complement C-3 dropped during the first days after operation. The serum levels of phosphate were positively correlated to several of the acute phase proteins.

Key Words:

• acute phase reaction
• alanine aminotransferase
• creatine kinase
• extracorporeal circulation
• extreme haemodilution
• heart surgery
• haemolysis
• lactate dehydrogenase
• liver damage
• moderate haemodilution
• plasma protein