Blood protective effect of ulinastatin in open heart surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass

Objective To investigate the blood protective effect of ulinastatin in open heart surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB).Methods A total of 120 patients undergoing open heart surgery under CPB was equally randomized into 2 groups of U(ulinastatin 300 000 U) and C(normal saline as the control).After anesthesia induction,ulinastatin diluted in normal saline 20 ml was pumped intravenously in 30 min.Blood samples were collected after anesthesia induction(T1),at 30 min during CPB(T2),at the end of surgery(T3),and 24 h after surgery(T4) for the measurements of hemoglobin(Hb) and platelet count(Plt).The thoracic drainage after operation was recorded as well.Results Hb and Plt were lower at T2,T3 and T4 than those at T1(P0.01),which at T3 were higher in group U than that in group C(P0.05).The amount of postoperative thoracic drainage was less in group U than that in group C(P0.01).Conclusion Ulinastatin used before CPB can effectively inhibit the activation of fibrinolytic system and protect platelet function in the patients undergoing open heart surgery under CPB.