PMID: 15227292Dec 1, 1987Paper

Complement activation during cardiac and thoracic vascular operations

Texas Heart Institute Journal
P G Loubser

Abstract

To study complement activation, we evaluated nine patients who underwent cardiac operations requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and nine other patients who underwent thoracic vascular operations without CPB. Concentration of C3, as measured by radioimmunoassay, was used as an indicator of complement activation (C3a is a complement-degradation product). In the CPB patients, the C3a level increased tenfold (from baseline value) after the onset of bypass, and continued to increase during bypass. Protamine produced an additional twofold increase in the C3a value, to a peak of 5461 +/- 1360 ng/ml. By 12 hours after surgery, the C3a level had decreased to normal (400 ng/ml). In the non-CPB patients, C3a remained at baseline levels until the administration of protamine, which caused a tenfold increase to a peak of 2281 +/- 293 ng/ml; C3a levels returned to normal 6 hours after operation. The peak postprotamine C3a levels were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the CPB group than in the non-CPB group. This finding was due to the fact that, during CPB, complement activation occurs via the alternative pathway; the administration of protamine then causes additional activation via the classical pathway. During thoracic vascular operatio...Continue Reading

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.