Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Humans – Jejunal Mucosal Perfusion Increases in Parallel With Well-Maintained Microvascular Hematocrit

Background: An imbalance between splanchnic oxygen supply and demand occurs during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in man, which might disrupt the intestinal mucosal barrier function. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of mild hypothermic CPB on intestinal mucosal perfusion in man undergoing cardiac surgery. Additionally we aimed to identify variables, which independently could predict changes of intestinal mucosal microcirculatory variables during CPB.

Methods: Jejunal mucosal perfusion (JMP), jejunal mucosal hematocrit (JMHt), red blood cell (RBC) velocity and arteriolar vasomotion using endoluminal jejunal laser Doppler flow metry were studied in eight cardiac surgical patients before and during CPB at a temperature of 34 degrees C.

Results: Cardiopulmonary bypass and the accompanied hemodilution (25-30%) induced a 44% increase in JMP (P < 0.05) and a 42% increase in RBC velocity (P < 0.01), with no change in JMHt. The oscillation amplitude of JMP, at a fundamental frequency of 2.8 cycles min(-1), increased with 175% (P < 0.05) during CPB. Splanchnic oxygen extraction increased by 64% during CPB (P < 0.05). Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified systemic hematocrit, arterial O(2) and CO(2) tension and splanchnic oxygen extraction as independent predictors of RBC velocity during CPB (R(2) = 0.63, P < 0.001). The oscillation amplitude of JMP was predicted by RBC velocity and splanchnic oxygen extraction (R(2) = 0.68, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions: The increase in RBC velocity and enhanced arteriolar vasomotion, as well as maintained jejunal mucosal hematocrit, are microcirculatory, compensatory mechanisms for the splanchic oxygen supply/demand mismatch seen during cardiopulmonary bypass in humans.