Pulsatile Pulmonary Perfusion During Cardiopulmonary Bypass Reduces the Pulmonary Inflammatory Response

Active pulmonary perfusion reduces the inflammatory response and apoptosis in the lungs observed during conventional CPB. This effect is greatest when pulmonary perfusion is performed with pulsatility. The reduction in cytokine expression by pulsatile pulmonary perfusion might be mediated by AP-1 and NF-κB.