Biocompatibility of extracorporeal circulation in infants:Comparison of heparin-coated and uncoated oxygenator

Abstract

We studied the biocompatibility of a heparin-coating by end-point attachment of an oxyg enator in infants undergoing open heart surgery for congenital defects. Biocompatibility was assessed by changes in platelet numbers, complement and bradykinin levels in 8 infants with the coated oxygenator and 8 with uncoated one. We found lower levels of bradykinin (p=0.03) and C3a generation (p=0.06) in coating group. There were no differences in platelet numbers nor complement levels of C5a between the two groups. These observations suggest that heparin coating improves biocompatibili ty and therefore may reduce the complications after cardiopulmonary bypass in infants.