Introduction:

The impact on the immune system of normovolemic hemodilution as a perioperative blood-saving technique raises a possible increase in immunoglobulin M, and a possible increase in infections, especially those associated with catheters.

Objective:

To compare the role of acute normovolemic hemodilution in postoperative infections in groups of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Material and methods:

A controlled clinical trial in 99 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery who were randomized into two groups: group I (non-hemodiluted) and group II (hemodiluted). The presence or absence of infection was determined during the postoperative period. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics χ2. A p < 0.05 was considered significant. The data were processed using SPSS v.25.0.

Results:

The overall incidence of infection was 3.03%. Hemodiluted patients became infected more frequently than non-hemodiluted patients. The isolated organisms were Escherichia coli and Enterobacter aerogenes.

Conclusion:

Patients undergoing cardiac surgery who undergo acute normovolemic hemodilution suffer more frequently from postoperative infections than those who do not undergo acute normovolemic hemodilution.