[Hemolysis and red cell deformability during cardiopulmonary bypass--the effect of prostaglandin E1 for prevention of hemolysis].

Prevention of hemolysis which is related to renal failure during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is very important. We discussed the relationship between hemolysis and red cell deformability during CPB, and moreover the effect of PGE1 to reduce hemolysis. PGE1 was given during CPB (10 approximately 20 ng/kg/min). Red cell deformability was measured using 20% Ht red cell suspension and Nucleopore Microfilter (pore size: 5 mu). Red cell filtration rate (RFR: microliter/sec) was calculated as a value of red cell deformability. Red cell deformability (RFR: microliter/sec) was reduced during CPB in almost all patients. Secondly, plasma Hb (mg/dl) was measured in the controls (n = 8) and PGE1 group (n = 12). The mean pre-bypass level were 20.6 in the control group and 23.8 in the PGE1 group. The mean values of plasma Hb at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min of CPB were 37.8, 52.4, 52.3 and 61.2 in the control group and 24.1, 25.0, 26.3 and 29.0 in the PGE1 group. Our study showed conclusively that CPB has a detrimental effect on red cell deformability and that this effect is accentuated by prolongation of CPB time. PGE1 lessened the decrease in red cell deformability during CPB and was shown to be very effective for prevention of hemolysis.