Time course for peri- and post-operative plasma levels (± SEM) of IL-6, IL-10, IL-2 and interferon gamma (INF-γ) in infants undergoing repair of a VSD. The Th1 cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-γ) never increase above baseline values. The shaded bars indicate the range of mean baseline values ± SEM. Baseline values were obtained pre-incision, “XC” samples were obtained following modified ultrafiltration, and the other time points are measured from cross clamp removal. Note the variation in the Y-axis scale (all in pg/ml). #, p<0.05 vs baseline values, +, p<0.05 vs post-MUF (“XC”) values.