Background: In this study, the inflammatory response after beating heart and conventional coronary artery bypass surgery is compared. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) is used as a determinant of the inflammatory process.

Methods: Twenty patients who will undergo elective coronary artery bypass graft operation were divided into two groups (group I (7 males, 3 females; mean age 63.6±6.8; range 50 to 69 years); group II (8 males, 2 females; mean age 62.2±8.5; range 42 to 69 years)). In group I, a beating heart coronary artery bypass surgery was performed Patients in group II were operated under cardiopulmonary bypass. Blood samples were collected 24 hours before and 4 hours after surgery, and TNF-α values were noted.

Results: Postoperative values of TNF-α in group II were significantly higher than group I (p=0.026). Postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay were also higher in group II than group I, and these were statistically significant (p=0.013 and p=0.008 respectively).

Conclusion: Tumor necrosis factor-α levels were significantly higher in conventional cardiopulmonary bypass technique than the beating heart operations. But, this increase in the inflammatory response did not cause any difference in ICU and hospital stay among patients who undergone coronary artery bypass surgery.

Keywords : Cardiopulmonary bypass; inflammatory response; Tumor necrosis factor-α