Heparin coating of an extracorporeal circuit partly improves hemostasis after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Heparin coating of an extracorporeal circuit for cardiopulmonary bypass improves the hemocompatibility of the circuit and reduces the inflammatory response of the body. It has not been established, however, that heparin coating also improves postoperative hemostasis. We therefore performed a study in 30 patients who underwent a routine coronary artery bypass graft operation subjected to cardiopulmonary bypass with an uncoated (control) or a heparin-coated extracorporeal circuit (Duraflo II). We found significantly higher plasma levels of heparin in the Duraflo II group. However, we found no significant differences between the two groups with regard to other parameters of activation of the fibrinolytic and coagulation systems and to activation of platelets. Postoperative blood loss and donor blood transfusions were reduced in the Duraflo II group but not to a statistically significant extent. We conclude that heparin coating of an extracorporeal circuit improves anticoagulation but does not significantly reduce platelet activation, fibrinolysis, postoperative blood loss, and donor blood transfusions in routine coronary bypass operations.