No abstract

The results suggest cardiotomy suction blood is vasoactive and might influence vascular resistance and blood pressure during cardiac surgery. The observed vasodilation is proportional to the inflammatory activation of suction blood and can be reduced by processing suction blood with a cell-saving device before retransfusion.

No abstract

The balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in cardiotomy suction blood is unfavourable. Cell salvage reduces the absolute levels of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in cardiotomy suction blood and improves the balance in the systemic circulation after surgery.

The ex vivo results suggest that addition of unwashed cardiotomy suction blood in clinically relevant volumes impairs systemic haemostasis. Retransfusion of smaller volumes in vivo has no or limited impact. Avoiding retransfusion of larger amounts of unwashed cardiotomy suction may improve postoperative haemostasis.