Objective- The association between cytokines and

troponin-I with cardiac function after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass remains a topic of conti-nued investigation. Methods- Serial measurements, within 24h follo-wing surgery, of tumor necrosis factor-α, its soluble re-ceptors, and troponin-I were performed in patients with normal ejection fraction undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Ejection fraction was measured by radioisotopic ventriculography preoperatively, at 24h and at day 7 postoperatively. Results- Of 19 patients studied (59±8.5 years), 10 (group 1) showed no changes in ejection fraction, 53±8% to 55±7%, and 9 (group 2) had a decrease in ejection fraction, 60±11 % to 47±11 % (p=0.015) before and 24h after coronary artery bypass grafting, respectively. All immunological variables, except tumor necrosis factor-α soluble receptor I at 3h postoperation (5.5 ± 0.5 in group 1 versus 5.9±0.2 pg/ml in group 2; p=0.048), were similar between groups. Postoperative troponin-I had an inverse correlation with ejection fraction at 24h (r =-0.44). Conclusions- Inflammatory activity, assessed based on tumor necrosis factor-α and its receptors, appears to play a minor role in cardiac dysfunction after cardiac surgery. Troponin I levels are inversely associated with early postoperative ejection fraction