Copper and Ceruloplasmin in Children Undergoing Heart Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) nowadays has become a routine procedure. However, under nonadequate hemodynamic conditions and because of the changes related to ischemia-reperfusion, there is a possibility to provoke oxidative stress with all undesirable consequences. Copper (Cu) is closely related to this stress, taking part in the formation of the hazardous-free radicals. Meanwhile, at least in the pediatric area, little is known about Cu kinetics during cardiac surgery. The purpose of the present work was to study Cu and ceruloplasmin (Cp) dynamics during surgery with CPB in children. Twenty-one patients of both genders from Campo Grande, Brazil with congenital heart conditions were enrolled in the investigation. Blood samples were collected before the surgery and during and 24 h after it. Cu and Cp levels were measured at selected moments and the influence of hemodilution studied. It was concluded that serum Cu dynamics during cardiopulmonary bypass reflects the protective effects of this trace element. Ceruloplasmin levels correlate positively with copper.