ALTERATIONS TO PLASMA-PROTEIN IN PATIENTS AFTER CARDIAC-SURGERY

Studies were conducted into various plasma proteins to establish concentrations in patients with chronic ischaemic heart disease and alterations to such concentrations in the way of bypass operations, using the heart-lung machine. That was done with a view to obtaining information on how such parameters might be used in forecasting rejection after heart transplantation. C-reactive protein (CRP) and the curve of its concentrations proved to be a highly sensitive but less specific parameter. Neopterin concentrations in serum were found to be not impaired by aortocoronary bypass operations. Hence, determination of CRP and neopterin in serum of patients after heart transplantation should be among the checks done first.