Methods: Between January 2011 and June 2011, 41 patients aged above 70 years who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in our clinic were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups according to the perfusion technique: pulsatile and non-pulsatile flow. Preoperative, post-cardiopulmonary bypass and at third day following surgery, creatinine, cystatin C, blood urea nitrogen values, urine output during cardiopulmonary bypass and the incidence of acute kidney injury were recorded.
Results: At third day following operation, cystatin C, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen values were significantly lower in pulsatile flow group. A significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of urine output during cardiopulmonary bypass and the incidence of acute kidney injury.
Conclusion: Pulsatile flow cardiopulmonary bypass is a simple and safe method which may prevent acute kidney injury in elderly.