Influence of Pericardial Suction Blood Retransfusion on Memory Function and Release of Protein S100B

Background: To study the influence of pericardial suction blood (PSB) on postoperative memory disturbances and release patterns of protein S100B during and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

 

Methods: Sixty male patients admitted for coronary artery bypass surgery were prospectively randomized to receive PSB either by using conventional cardiotomy suction retransfusion or after cell-saver processing.

 

Results: The concentration of S100B rose during the period of CPB from 0.065 ± 0.004 to 0.24 ± 0.001m g/L (p < 0.001). PSB contained 18.0 ± 1.7m g/L of S100B. Direct retransfusion from the cardiotomy reservoir made the systemic level increase to 1.42 ± 0.19 m g/L compared to 0.25 ± 0.02 m g/L using a cell-saver. Signs of postoperative memory dysfunction (> 1 SD) were discovered in one of three tests, but were unrelated to technique of retransfusion. No associations were found between serum concentrations of S100B and memory function.

 

Conclusion: In this study, retransfusion of PSB during cardiac surgery appeared not to cause memory disturbances. PSB contained high concentrations of protein S100B making its use as a marker of cerebral injury unsuitable.