Plasma Protein Electrophoresis During a Three-Hour Cardio-Pulmonary Bypass in Dogs

In a randomly selected group of 20 dogs undergoing a three-hour cardiopulmonary bypass, a marked fall in total plasma protein, serum albumin and serum globulins was noted. Operative trauma, and the dilution produced by priming fluid, were responsible for these changes. The weak relationships noted between serum albumin and serum globulin levels on the one hand, and BSP retention levels on the other, suggested an altered hepatic function. The alteration was not significant enough to play an important part during prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass in open-heart surgery.