Cardiac release of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 during coronary revascularization

Cardiac surgery stimulates the systemic synthesis of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2, but the cardiac release of these prostanoids has been reported infrequently. Fifty-four patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass had coronary sinus catheters inserted to evaluate the cardiac release of the stable metabolites of prostacyclin (6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha) and thromboxane A2 (thromboxane B2). Arterial concentrations of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and thromboxane B2 were elevated after cardiac cannulation and during cardiopulmonary bypass. The cardiac release of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha was observed after cannulation and during, but not after, cardiopulmonary bypass. Cardiac thromboxane B2 release was detected after cross-clamp release and persisted during the early postoperative period when cardiac 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha release was no longer detectable. Cardiopulmonary bypass stimulated the systemic production of thromboxane and prostacyclin. The cardiac release of thromboxane was unopposed by cardiac prostacyclin production in the early postoperative period and may contribute to reperfusion injury.