OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Shenfu Injection (SFI) on erythrocyte immunity function of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

METHODSTwenty patients scheduled for valve replacement were randomly assigned to two groups, i.e. , the SFI group and the control group, 10 in each. SFI 1 mL/kg was intravenously dripped before induction of anesthesia and SFI 1 mL/kg administered in priming solution in the SFI group, while only normal saline was given to those in the control group. Venous blood samples (5 mL) were collected before induction of anesthesia (T1), 30 min CPB (T2), immediate by the end of CPB (T3), and postoperative 24 h (T4) respectively in all groups. The levels of the rosette rate of RBC-C3b receptor (RBC-C3bRR), the rosette rate of RBC-immune complex (RBC-ICR), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), free hemoglobin (FHB), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in the levels of RBC-C3bRR, RBC-ICR, plasma MDA, FHB, and IL-6 at T1 in both groups (P > 0.05). RBC-C3bRR at the rest time points was lower in the two groups than before induction of anesthesia. There was no statistical difference in FHB or IL-6 between T4 and T1 in the SFI group. The levels of RBC-ICR, MDA, FHB, and IL-6 increased in the two groups more than before induction of anesthesia at T2-4 ( P < 0.05). Besides, the RBC-C3b RR was lower, and levels of RBC-ICR, MDA, FHB, and IL-6 higher in the control group than in the SFI group, showing significant difference (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFI could decrease the generation of inflammatory mediators during CPB, improve the erythrocyte immune function of patients during CPB, and reduce the risk of postoperative infection.