Clinical Trial Summary
Non-encapsulated (free) heme, a breakdown component of hemoglobin, is associated with
oxidative stress and inflammation with consequent cellular and tissue injury (Ryter &
Tyrrell, 2000) (D T G Wagener, et al., 2001). Cardiopulmonary bypass is known to cause trauma
to cellular components of the blood, to trigger an inflammatory response, and alter the
rheology of the circulation. Prior research has demonstrated an increase in levels of free
heme with cardiopulmonary bypass (Wetz, Richardt, Schotola, Bauer, & Bräuer, 2017) (Kubota,
Egi, & Mizobuchi, 2017). The stress response to cardiac surgery and utilization of blood
salvage techniques independent of cardiopulmonary bypass may affect plasma free heme levels
as well as regulation of heme metabolism pathways. It is unclear whether and to what degree
plasma levels of free heme may vary at discreet time points in the perioperative period
during cardiac surgery involving both cardiopulmonary bypass and "off-pump" techniques.
This is an observational, prospective cohort study in which we will assess for red blood cell
trauma, free heme levels, and biomarkers for acute kidney injury at various time points
throughout cardiac surgery. Urine and arterial blood samples will be collected at our
routine, standard of care time points pre-, intra-, and post-operatively and in addition to
the standard clinical tests that will be performed (arterial blood gas analysis and activated
clotting time) several additional serum biomarkers will be analyzed. Clinical correlation
will be performed with levels. Sub-analysis will be performed on the basis of off vs. on pump
CABG cases and also in patient that do/not develop AKI post-operatively.
Previous investigations have demonstrated increased levels of free heme in patients
undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass. There is
evidence of an association between elevations in free heme levels and risk of developing
acute kidney injury. The degree of alterations in free heme levels and the heme metabolism
pathway in patients undergoing valvular repair or replacement, durable mechanical ventricular
assist device placement, or aortic aneurysm repair has not been well characterized.
Furthermore, free heme levels after coronary artery bypass grafting without utilization of
cardiopulmonary bypass have not been described previously. Cell salvage techniques
independent of cardiopulmonary bypass are known to be potentially traumatic to the cellular
components of blood and this relationship has not been thoroughly explored in the cardiac
surgery population. Lastly, there is scarce prior work attempting to assess the interplay
between free heme levels and novel biomarkers of acute kidney injury.