ASAIO journal : a peer-reviewed journal of the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Reducing the effects of the systemic inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass: can single dose steroids blunt systemic inflammatory response syndrome?
The use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with the development of a significant systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) which can affect patient outcomes. Multiple pathways are involved in initiating and maintaining SIRS. We studied whether a single dose of steroids (dexamethasone) after the induction of anesthesia could blunt the SIRS from CPB. ⋯ A single dose of dexamethasone reduces IL-6 and PNE levels associated with CPB. Despite the significant reductions in IL-6 and PNE, there was no effect on clinical outcomes. Additional studies are needed to demonstrate a clinically significant effect on patient outcomes.