Nitric Oxide-mediated Cardioprotection During Cardiac Surgery With Cardiopulmonary Bypass

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) delivered to the extracorporeal circulation circuit for cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury during coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). A total of 60 patients with ischemic heart disease referred for CABG with CPB are included in prospective randomized study. Patients are randomized to receive standard treatment or surgery based on modified CPB protocol. According to modified protocol, 40-ppm NO is supplied to the CPB circuit during CABG. The primary endpoints are changes in cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels at 6, 24, and 48 hours after surgery compared with baseline. The secondary end points are the changes in the levels of creatine kinase-muscle/brain (CK-MB) compared with baseline and vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) at 6, 24, and 48 hours. NO supplied to the CPB circuit exertes cardioprotective effect. Changes in cTnI, CK-MB, and VIS are considered indictors of the presence or absence of cardioprotective action of NO supplied to the CPB circuit.

Inclusion criteria

• Coronary artery disease requiring coronary artery bypass grafting with the cardiopulmonary bypass.

Exclusion criteria

• Non-elective surgery, age over 70 years, left ventricular ejection fraction less than 35%, history of myocardial infarction within three months prior to surgery, chronic atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, and the elevated levels of cardiac specific markers within 12 h prior to the intervention.