This exaggerated systemic pro-inflammation also occurs during major surgical procedures, especially in cardiac surgery procedures. Multiple stimuli during these procedures, such as sternotomy, extra-corporal cardio-pulmonary bypass (ECC) and aortal cross-clamping, account for substantial systemic inflammatory activation. The extent of inflammation following this procedures is directly associated with patient outcome, as high post-operative levels of IL-6 have been proven to correlate with adverse outcome and mortality. Also at organ level, the incidence of inflammation associated development of acute kidney injury (AKI) following cardiac surgery is high and correlates with adverse outcome and mortality.