During cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), which is frequently utilized in open-heart surgery, the maintenance of circulation in a non-physiological environment may lead to alterations in the properties of circulating blood components. In our study, we aimed to evaluate these changes using contemporary methodologies.

The study included 48 patients who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB. CPB duration and hypothermia degree were recorded and analyzed. Erythrocyte deformability (ED), erythrocyte aggregation (EA), whole blood viscosity (WBV), total oxidant status (TOS), and total antioxidant status (TAS) were measured; ED and EA were measured using LORRCA (RR Mechatronics, Hoorn, Netherlands).

Compared to the preoperative period, a decrease in postoperative ED, EA, and WBV was observed. No significant change was detected in TAS levels; however, TOS levels were found to be elevated. No statistically significant correlation was observed between perioperative patient temperature, CPB duration, and ED, EA, or WBV values.

In patients undergoing surgery with CPB, a postoperative decrease in ED, EA, and WBV was demonstrated. Previous studies have suggested that the decline in ED is associated with blood transfusion. However, the significant reduction in ED observed in our study, even in patients who did not receive blood transfusions, is noteworthy.