Actual knowledge of systemic inflammation reaction during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Systemic inflammation response is a complex physiopathological host response following aggression. This phenomenon is well described during cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass but also in the context of off-pump cardiac surhery. The goal of this article is to review the different mechanisms involved in the systemic inflammation response, abusively called "systemic inflammatory response syndrome". The article will describe the different component of this response with a clear definition of different pathways found in this process. The possible relation between systemic inflammation and postoperative outcome will be described. The different therapeutic and prophylactic options evaluated to decrease the systemic inflammation reaction will be summarized.