Neutrophil function after cardiopulmonary bypass
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effects of cardiopulmonary bypass on the function of white blood cells
IRAS ID
184618
Contact name
Wendy Funston
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
"Cardiopulmonary bypass" (CPB) is a routine medical procedure that simultaneously allows blood to bypass the heart and lungs, and for the heart to be motionless, during surgery. It is therefore invaluable during operations on the heart. CPB diverts blood away from the lungs and heart, and through an “oxygenator” and lengths of plastic tubing. A common undesirable consequence of CPB is that white blood cells become “activated” by contact with the tubing and can damage tissues (most notably the lung) on their return to the body.
During heart surgery, the surgeon and anaesthetist have the option of inflating the lungs (which is thought to improve matters) or not. During certain heart operations, the left lung is deflated (because the left side of the chest is opened), while the right lung can be inflated by the anaesthetist. This set of circumstances provides a unique opportunity to understand the behaviour of white cells during CPB, which in turn may allow the design of better treatments not only for patients having CPB, but for a range of other medical conditions caused by activated white blood cells.
Our preliminary research suggested that CPB reduces the functions of neutrophils (key white blood cells), but that return of neutrophils through an INFLATED lung restores their function to normal. The current study seeks to confirm and extend the preliminary findings. This involves taking blood samples in theatre so that neutrophil function can be compared (a) before and after CPB and (b) in blood returning from the inflated (right) and deflated (left) lung. If we confirm that neutrophils passing through the inflated lung have restored function, this will provide an impetus to determine the mechanisms, which in turn may suggest new treatments for a range of inflammatory diseases.
REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NE/0319
Date of REC Opinion
17 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion