An adequate balance of homeostasis, represented by various pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, is important for the maintenance of health. Deviation of the normal balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines will lead to severe restrictions of immune response. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is regarded as a reproducible model of inflammatory response and constitutes a major challenge to the patient’s ability to maintain this balance. Recent research has focused on the pro- and inflammatory cytokine balance, immune-modulating therapies and techniques to characterize the patient’s individual immune status. The importance of cytokine balance and the various states of inflammatory response are briefly described and discussed.

        Key words: cardiopulmonary bypass – cytokines – modulation of immune status