Time course for peri- and post-operative plasma levels of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-8, and MMP-9 in infants undergoing repair of a ventricular septal defect. MMP-2 and MMP-7 values drop below baseline, while MMP-8 and MMP-9 values increase with dissimilar time courses. MMP-3 increases steadily through the period from 4 to 48 hours post-operatively. 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.