In vitro evaluation of PHISIO-coated sets for pediatric cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVES

Phosphorylcholine coated cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuits for children have been available for some years, but conflicting results regarding the inflammatory response have been reported. Accordingly, we aimed to investigate the effect of phosphorylcholine coating on the inflammatory response.

DESIGN

Ten coated and nine uncoated pediatric CPB sets were tested in an in vitro CPB circuit model. The inflammatory response was assessed by serial assays of hemoglobin, hematocrit, leukocyte counts, platelet counts, activation of the complement system, activation of platelets measured as beta-thromboglobulin, activation of neutrophils measured as myeloperoxidase, activation of coagulation measured as prothrombin fragments 1+2, assessment of hemolysis measured as lactate dehydrogenase, and a panel of seven cytokines. Samples were obtained at baseline and after 15, 30, 60 and 120 minutes.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the phosphorylcholine coated circuits and the uncoated circuits for any of the parameters during the observation period, although a potentially beneficial effect on platelets could not be ruled out.

CONCLUSIONS

Phosphorylcholine coating of CPB equipment did not exert any beneficial effect on the inflammatory markers monitored.