Plasma concentrations of TNF-alpha were lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 after cessation of cardiopulmonary bypass ( median ( interquartiles ) : 25 ( 21-30 ) versus 37 ( 28-79 ) pg mL ( -1 ) ; P < 0.05 ) and 24h after skin closure ( 196 ( 100-355 ) versus 382 ( 233-718 ) pg mL ( -1 ) ; P < 0.05 ) .
