Preoperative inhalation of milrinone attenuates inflammation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative inhalation of milrinone on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)-related inflammation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients undergoing cardiac surgery were recruited and randomized for preoperative inhalation of milrinone (Mil group) or normal saline (NS group), respectively. Each group had 15 patients. Their hemodynamic parameters were measured and blood samples were obtained longitudinally. The levels of serum interleukin (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: The levels of serum IL-6, TNF-α, and MMP-9 significantly increased at the end of cardiac surgery and remained high for 24 h in both groups of patients. However, the levels of proinflammatory cytokines at the end of cardiac surgery in the Mil group of patients were significantly lower than those of the NS group of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicated that preoperative inhalation of milrinone significantly mitigated CPB-related inflammation.