The significance of neutrophil in inflammatory response after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass

Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) can lead to postoperative complications like systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). These changes are associated with a risk of postoperative organ dysfunction and increased morbidity and mortality in the postoperative period. Its etiology is not yet clarified in details, but this thought to be of immunologic origin. The exact knowledge of these reactions is crucial for the selection of treatment strategies. Cardiac surgery induces neutrophil activation, degranulation and endothelial dysfunction. The nature of the participation of the neutrophil and its time course in the post CPB inflammatory response remains controversial. The aim of this work is to review state-of-the-art knowledge about neutrophil and the role of this cell as a regulator of immune response after cardiovascular surgery.