Activation of leukocytes (especially neutrophils) during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) causes a reperfusion injury through the release of oxygen free radicals and formation of microvascular occlusions. Leukocyte filtration during CPB could solve these drawbacks. We investigated the selectivity of leukocyte filtration by fifteen patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Leukocyte depleted patients (n = 8) had a leukocyte filter incorporated in the bypass circuit. We evaluated the number of lymphocytes, neutrophils and platelets as well as hematocrit values at following time points: a) before CPB, b) 15 min after the start of CPB, c) before the administration of protamin and d) 3 hours after the CPB. No statistically significant changes of hematocrit values, lymphocyte or platelet counts between control and leukocyte depleted group of patients were observed. However, the use of leukocyte filter caused significant decrease in number of circulating neutrophils at 15 min after begin of CPB (1.20 +/- 0.17 x 10(9)/l for leukocyte depleted patients and 1.90 +/- 0.42 x 10(9)/l for control group of patients, p < 0.05). Our temporary results indicate the selectivity of leukocyte filtration during the cardiopulmonary bypass.