Background: Myeloid cells are extensively activated in patients undergoing cardiosurgical operations. It is supposed that this activation is more profound in patients operated with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) ("on-pump") in comparison with patients operated without CPB ("off-pump").
Aims: To evaluate changes in the expression of a novel activation marker expressed on myeloid cells recognized by MEM-148 antibody.
Patients and methods: The expression of MEM-148 positive myeloid cells was evaluated by flow cytometry in 40 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) randomly assigned to "on-pump" or "off-pump" technique.
Results: The relative and absolute number of MEM-148 positive myeloid cells is significantly diminished during "on-pump" surgery. A significant increase in their number in postoperative period in both "on-pump" and "off-pump" patients was found. There were no significant differencies between "on-pump" and "off-pump" patients.
Conclusions: The very trauma of surgery seems to be more relevant in starting on activation of myeloid cells them CPB itself.
Keywords: Activation MEM-148; Cardiac surgery; Cardiopulmonary bypass; Myeloid cells.