[Various aspects of the status of humoral immunity in patients after surgical correction of rheumatic heart defects under artificial circulation].

The serum concentrations of immunoglobulins A, M, and G were studied in 70 patients with rheumatic heart diseases and in 72 patients with spontaneous and pokeweed mitogen-induced production of these immunoglobulins and mononuclear peripheral blood cells. The investigations were done before and 1-2 and 7-8 days after surgery. Some patients received myelopid in the early postoperative period in addition to the conventional methods of therapy. With high serum IgA, IgM, and IgG levels, reduced humoral immunity was noted. Within the first two days after the operation, the capability of cells to produce IgA and IgG in response to pokeweed mitogen stimulation was lost, the induced IgM production was reduced considerably, and the serum IgA and IgM levels fell significantly. Eight days after surgery, the immune response was partially recovered. Myelopid facilitates complete restoration of humoral immunity and reduces the incidence of postoperative pneumonia more than threefold.