Randomized Controlled Trial of Pericardial Blood Processing With a Cell-Saving Device on Neurologic Markers in Elderly Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

The difference between the two groups occurred 30 minutes after surgery, at which time serum levels of protein S100B were significantly higher in the control group compared with cell-saving device patients. Although use of the cell-saving device was not associated with higher brain oxygen saturation nor changes in the National Institutes of Health stroke score, it is associated with lesser release of nonspecific markers of brain injury in elderly patients.