Effect of Heart-lung-machine on Selenium Status of Cardiac Surgical Patients Undergoing Coronary Bypass Surgery

Since selenium has demonstrated significant characteristics for a series of biochemical processes, for antioxidant activity and immune stimulation, this observational study should represent the effect of heart-lung-machine on selenium status of cardiac surgical patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery. It will be examined in (approximately 100) adult patients, under which 50 patients are operated conventionally (meaning with the use of heart-lung-machine). Another 50 patients are operated on beating heart without the use of heart-lung-machine (OPCAB = "off pump coronary artery bypass"). The allocation of individual patients in these two groups is done according to clinical criteria and is undertaken by the operating surgeon.