Despite an extensive amount of research carried out on the
detrimental effects of CPB on the inflammatory system, no
investigation has elucidated so far how different CPB
approaches may affect the functional status of the endothe-lium.
12
A recent paper from Gomes and colleagues
13
inves-tigated the subacute effects of conventional CPB on
microvascular endothelial dysfunction using laser Doppler
perfusion. They observed a significant impairment of systemic
microvascular endothelial function 1 week after CPB. This was
also consistent with the authors’ previous work using soluble
markers of endothelial dysfunction.
14
This may have relevant
implications, especially in the most severe patients