Changes in the plasma protease systems during open-heart surgery with dextran vs. Ringer acetate as priming solution

Two different priming solutions for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were studied in regard to possible influence on the plasma protease systems. The study was performed on 20 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting. In ten cases the priming solution contained 1,000 ml dextran (MW 70,000) and in ten it consisted only of Ringer's acetate solution. The same level of haemodilution was established during CPB in the two groups. Clinical variables and laboratory data were monitored. Spontaneous kallikrein activity, plasma prekallikrein, functional kallikrein inhibition capacity, spontaneous plasmin activity, plasminogen, functional antiplasmin activity, prothrombin and antithrombin-III were measured, using chromogenic peptide substrate assays before and during CPB as well as in the postoperative period. The antiplasmin activity decreased more in the dextran than in the Ringer group following cardiopulmonary bypass but the difference was without clinical significance. No statistically significant intergroup difference was found in the other measured variables of the kallikrein-kinin, fibrinolytic and coagulation systems.