Comparisons of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) levels in off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

INTRODUCTION: Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) is a novel indicator of myocardial damage. The aim of the study was to compare the levels of H-FABP in off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty non-randomised 30 patients who underwent CABG between January 2009 and January 2010 were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two equal size (n = 15) groups as group A (off-pump CABG group) and group B (on-pump CABG group). Three arterial blood samples were obtained for H-FABP after sternotomy (H-FABP 1), after the last distal anastomosis in group A and immediately after the cross clamp was removed from the aorta in group B (H-FABP 2) and 24 h after the operation (H-FABP 3). Renal and liver functions and circulating fatty acid binding protein (FABP) levels were also assessed in blood samples obtained 24 h before and 1 h after the operation. RESULTS: At all three assessment points patients in group B had significantly higher H-FABP values when compared with group A. Preoperative renal and liver functions were similar in both groups and they did not differ significantly in group A and group B when preoperative and postoperative values were compared. In both groups circulating FABP levels increased in the postoperative period, and the increase was more pronounced in the on-pump CABG group. CONCLUSIONS: On-pump surgery resulted in higher levels of H-FABP as an ischaemic marker in patients receiving coronary artery bypass surgery.