[Effects of cardiopulmonary bypass on plasma pentraxin-3 level and the balance of Th1/Th2 function in children with congenital heart malformations].

Objective: To investigate the effects of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on plasma pentraxin-3 (PTX3) level and balance of Th1/Th2 function in children with congenital heart malformations.

Methods: 16 children with congenital heart malformations, 9 male and 7 female, aged 3 - 52 months, weighing 3.4 - 14.5 kilograms, classified as II or III ASA grades, underwent operation under CPB. Blood samples were collected after anesthesia induction, 5 min and 30 min since beginning of CPB, and 5 min, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, and 16 h after weaning from CPB. ELISA was used to examine the plasma concentrations of interferon (INF)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-4, and PTX3. The ratio of INF-gamma/IL-4 was calculated.

Results: The INF-gamma level began to increase significantly 5 min since CPB (P < 0.05), peaked 5 min after weaning from CPB (P < 0.01), then gradually decreased, and returned to the level before CPB 16 h after the weaning from CPB (P > 0.05). The IL-4 level began to increase significantly 30 min since CPB (P < 0.01), peaked 2 h since CPB (P < 0.01), however, still not returned to the level before CPB 16 h after the weaning from CPB (P < 0.05). The PTX-3 level was significantly higher 30 min since CPB and 5 min and 2 h after the weaning from CPB (all P < 0.01). The INF-gamma/IL-4 ratio was significantly higher 5 min and 30 min since CPB and 5 min after weaning from CPB (all P > 0.05).

Conclusion: CPB can leads to elevation of plasma concentration of PTX3 and drift of Th1/Th2 function equilibrium, thus resulting in immunity disequilibrium.