Abstract:
The present study was undertaken to compare oxygenators with covalent heparin-binding (CBAS) and non-coated oxygenators of the same construction. We assessed the extent of initiation of the different cascade reaction of the human hemostatic systems, especially the concentration and activation of the parameters kallikrein-like activity, factor XII-like activity, PMN-elastase, platelate count, and b-thromboglobulin. We also assayed the concentration of heparin to get information about the stability of the heparin surface in a long circulation period over 90 minutes.
In this study, we used membran oxygenators (Maxima Plus PRF, Medtronic Inc., Anaheim, CA, USA) in an ex-vivo-model where fresh human blood was recirculated with oxygen and arterial counter-pressure to simulate clinical conditions.
As soon as blood contacts artificial surfaces kallikrein and factor XII are activated. Kallikrein-like activity and factor XII-like activity reflect the activation of kallikrein and factor XII. During the recirculation period an increase could be detected. However, the differences were not statistically significant.
In the non-coated oxygenator group platelet count decreased intensivly and showed a slight increase at the end. The heparin coated group also showed a decrease in platelet count, however had significantly higher values compared with the control group.
The concentration of b-thromboglobulin increased in both groups and corresponded with the degree of platelet activation. In accordance with the platelet count the non-coated oxygenator group showed a higher increase which was statistically significant.
Activation of polymorphnuclear granulocytes results in a release of PMN-elastase out of the granules. In the non-coated oxygenator group we measured significantly higher PMN-elastase concentrations which showed a more intense activation of the granulocytes in this group.
In both groups we detected equal heparin concentrations with a small decrease at the end of recirculation. There were no significant differences between the two groups any time.
The results confirmed the excellent adhesive quality of the heparin-layer of the heparin coated oxegenators.
During extracorporeal circulation with a heart-lung-machine we encountered uncontrolled activation of defensive systems, such as activation of the granulocytes, thrombocytes, kallikrein-kinin-system, complement system and all subsequent reactions. The advantage of heparin-coats shows in the reduced or selective adhesion of plasma proteins which leads to a protective secondary membrane on the one hand, and prevents a further denaturation and hence activation of the adhered proteins on the other hand. Presumably, the artificial surface´s adsorption properties contribute significantly to whether the circulating blood encounters activating or inhibiting stimuli. Thrombogenicity of artificial surfaces seems to depend mainly on the extent to which the activation and inhibition of platelet adhesion and aggregation can be simulated. This equilibrium reaction underlies both plasmatic as well as cellular auto-regulation and reverse feedback mechanisms.