Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Is Associated with Reduced Neutrophil Activation as Measured by the Expression of CD11b: A Prospective Randomized Study

Abstract

This prospective randomized study demonstrates that the activation of circulating neutrophils as measured by CD11b expression is lower following OPCAB than in CPB. Although OPCAB is associated with significantly higher neutrophil counts, these neutrophils exhibit fewer activation markers. The lower postoperative neutrophil counts occurring in the CPB group may be explained by the activation and consequent sequestration of the neutrophils in the CPB circuit and tissues.