[High pressure occlusion of leukocyte depletion arterial line filter in patients with cardio-pulmonary bypass surgery].

Cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB) leads the activation of neutrophil, which may cause reperfusion organ dysfunction. Utility of using the leukocyte depletion arterial filter to pretend postoperative complications has been reported. The other side, the risk of the leukocyte depletion filter occlusion with high-pressures of CPB arterial line (high-pressure occlusion) has been noted. We used the leukocyte deletion filter (LG-6, Pall), and experienced two cases of high-pressure occlusion in 421 CPB surgery with LG-6 (0.48%). No high-pressure occlusion was occurred with 1,508 patients used the standard arterial line filter in it period (0%, p = 0.007). In the both cases of high-pressure occlusion, monitored arterial line pressure increased to over 340 mmHg within 10 minutes after CPB installation. The filters were changed to standard type, then no more filter trouble was occurred. In the second case, we inspected the occluded LG-6. Light microscopic survey showed eosin stained small spherical cells (HE) and negative for fibrin (PTAH). Electromicroscopy revealed that spherical cells (1-2 microns) adherated to structure of the filter. No fibrin was detected with Gel electrophoresis. Because of the pathologic analysis, the cells, which might cause the filter occlusion, were platelet. In addition, no fibrin exist suggests that the coagulation system did not relate to the high-pressure occlusion. In conclusion, we experienced two high-pressure occlusion cases of the leukocyte depletion arterial filter with CPB surgery (0.48%); the filter occlusion may be caused by the initial thrombus formation by platelet.