Effects of pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.

The influence of pulsatile perfusion on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism was examined in 40 patients (20 pulsatile and 20 non-pulsatile) who underwent open-heart surgery. The pulsatile assist device was used for pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass during aortic cross-clamping only, and samples of the mixed venous blood were taken every 20 minutes. There were no statistically significant differences between pulsatile and non-pulsatile groups with respect to plasma levels of glucose, insulin, glucagon, free fatty acids and ketone bodies. However, an increase in the plasma level of noradrenaline was significantly suppressed in the pulsatile group, and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in the pulsatile than in the non-pulsatile group. These data suggest that pulsatile flow attenuates the catecholamine stress response to cardiopulmonary bypass and has a protective effect on liver function during bypass.