Hadem J, et al. - Whether different cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) modes are potential triggers of angiopoietin-2 [Angpt2; a mediator of endothelial dysfunction (ED) following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)] release, was determined by examining the time course of ED beyond the early phase of postoperative recovery in patients who underwent CABG. No difference was seen in Angpt2 levels between the minimized extracorporeal circulation (MECC) and CPB groups. Compared with any other parameter, a more strong correlation of the magnitude of Angpt-2 increase with baseline C-reactive protein was observed. Overall, CABG was found to be associated with prolonged ED, which was determined by the patient’s preoperative inflammatory state rather than by CPB modifications.