Inflammatory response in an immunosuppressed patient with Wegener's granulomatosis.

BACKGROUND

The use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) triggers a systemic inflammatory response (IR), but it is not known if a similar response occurs in an immunosuppressed patient with autoimmune disease.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

Observational study in a 56-year-old man receiving immunosuppressive therapy for Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) who underwent aortic valve replacement on CPB. The following markers for IR were studied in the perioperative period: C3a, C5a, neutrophil elastase (NE), interleukin eight (IL-8), white cell count (WCC) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Results were compared with published literature on the IR in patients undergoing coronary revascularisation with and without the use of CPB. All inflammatory markers increased in the perioperative period. The intensity of IR was markedly reduced compared to published literature for patients undergoing coronary revascularisation on CPB and the temporal patients and extend resembled that for off-pump.

CONCLUSION

In a patient with WG on immunosuppressive therapy the CPB-related IR is reduced.