RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the efficiency of pharmacological correction of a systemic inflammatory response in patients after coronary bypass surgery, by using mexidol. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 40 patients with coronary heart disease, who had undergone myocardial revascularization were examined. A study group (n = 20) received mexidol within 5 days before, during, and 5 days after surgery. A control group (n = 20) were given 0.9% NaCl solution. The degree of a systemic inflammatory response was estimated from the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), the cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha. The activities of serum enzymes and myoglobin were determined. RESULTS: after surgery, both groups showed the elevated concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, and CRP, but their elevation was statistically significant less in the study group than in the control one (p < 0.05). In both groups, there were increases in the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine phosphokinase, and myoglobin, which was statistically significant more apparent in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: mexidol diminishes the magnitude of a systemic response after aortocoronary bypass surgery under extracorporeal circulation and has an organ-protective effect.