Neutrophil Activation Occurs in the Lower-limbs of Patients Undergoing Elective Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Ischaemia and reperfusion during abdominal aortic aneurysm repair are associated with a global increase in the white cell count and neutrophil count, but with increased neutrophil CD11b expression only in the femoral vein. This suggests the lower-limbs are sensitive to aortic clamp-related reperfusion injury and may fuel the inflammatory response.