Effects of ulinastatin on the serum activities of granulocyte elastase, β-glucuronidase and pancreatic secretory tripsin inhibitor in patients having open cardiac surgery

The effects of ulinastatin on the serum activities of granulocyte elastase, β-glucuronidase and pancreatic secretory tripsin inhibitor (PSTI) were studied during and after the open cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Seven patients (group I) did not receive ulinastatin. Seven patients (group II) received 300,000 units of urinastatin intravenously only before CPB. Seven patients (group III) received intravenously each of 300,000 units of ulinastatin before and during CPB. The increase of serum levels of granulocyte elastase during CPB showed a good correlation with the perfusion period but the increase rate was lower in group II and III compared with group I. Serum levels of β-glucuronidase and PSTI increased during CPB in all the groups, and no difference was seen between the groups. Ulinastatin had depressing effects on the increase of serum activities of granulocyte elastase during CPB.