Proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines after cardiac operation: different cellular sources at different times

A. Franke, W. Lante, V. Fackeldey, H. P. Becker, C. Thode,
Wolf D. Kuhlmann, A. Markewitz

Departments of Surgery and Cardiovascular Surgery, Central Military Hospital, Koblenz, Germany
Department of Immunology, Central Institute of the Armed Medical Forces, Koblenz, Germany

Cardiac operation produces substantial alterations within the immune system, which possibly predispose postoperative complications. However, the interplay between proinflammatory and antiinflammatory reactions and the cells involved in this process are not completely clear. Therefore, serum levels as well as synthesis patterns of proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines were investigated.