Cardiopulmonary bypass reduces myocardial oxidative stress, inflammation and increases c-kit+CD45- cell population in newborns.

Immediate response and remodeling of the myocardium to CPB differs between newborns, older infants and children. Especially an increased number of c-kit expressing CD45 cells after CPB were seen in neonates in comparison to children. The clinical value of such observation needs to be further assessed in larger cohorts of patients.