Aktivierung der Neutrophilen Granulozyten bei Patienten mit Extracorporaler Kreislaufunterstützung

01/06/2016 to 31/05/2018

In patients with extracorporeal circulation (ECMO) pronounced Inflammations- and thrombosis processes run in parallel. Through the blood contact with foreign surfaces an extreme activation of coagulation with the full clinical picture of DIC, thrombus formation and a massive SIRS occurs. The anticoagulation in these patients is a challenge, as they on the one hand require a heparinisation due to the foreign material and, on the other hand, they have a bleeding diatheses due to coagulation factors consumption and hyperfibrinolysis. As part of thrombotic material are NETs (Neutrophil Extracellular Traps) a potential target for anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory therapy simultaneously, but without increasing the risk of bleeding.
The aim of the project is to investigate the role of neutrophils and their NETs in above-mentioned processes in ECMO patients. Healthy controls and intensive care patients will serve with SIRS as a comparison collective.
There are so far no studies on neutrophils behaviour under ECMO therapy, e.g. how strong they are activated and how much NET-material is being released.
The aim of the current project is to study granulocyte activation and NETosis markers in ECMO patients and to compare those to matched controls.