The role of N-acetylcystein administration on the oxidative response of neutrophils during cardiopulmonary bypass

The role of N-acetylcystein (NAC) administration on the oxidative response of neutrophils during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was evaluated in a double-blind study. Twenty-four adult patients undergoing coronary artery bypass were included in the study. Twelve patients received NAC as a bolus of 100 mg/kg followed by a continuous infusion of 20 mg/kg/h in the bypass circuit from the beginning to the end of bypass. A further 12 patients received placebo. Citrated blood samples for measurement of oxidative burst response of neutrophils were obtained at different time points during bypass. The oxidative burst response of neutrophils in the patients receiving NAC was significantly low at all times during bypass. Based on these findings NAC appears to act as an oxygen free radical scavenger during open-heart surgery.