Barrier function of the gut and multiple organ dysfunction after cardiac surgery.

We studied the influence of sequential involvement of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract on the development of multiple organ dysfunction (MOD) after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). One hundred and forty-six patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery were included in this prospective observational study. Standardized oral inert-sugar tests (sucrose, lactulose, mannitol, sucralose) were performed before and after CPB in different patients. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of plasma levels of endotoxin core antibodies (EndoCAb) were performed peri-operatively. The functional mucosal surface was calculated from the amount of mannitol absorbed from the GI tract. Lower urine concentrations of absorbed mannitol were observed pre-operatively in patients developing MOD. In binary logistic regression this was an independent parameter. Decreased plasma concentrations of EndoCAb after surgery were seen in every patient, but were more significant in patients developing MOD. A reduced pre-operative functional mucosal surface may predict the early occurrence of MOD after surgery.