Lysosomal enzyme release during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Lysosomal enzyme release occurs during cardiopulmonary bypass in man but the tissues from which these enzymes originate have not been identified. The activity of N-acetyl beta-glucosaminidase in plasma increases to a degree which is proportional to the duration of bypass and this enzyme may therefore be a better marker than beta-glucuronidase of tissue damage caused by cardiopulmonary bypass, as distinct from tissue damage solely to the operative procedure.