Fig. 2 –

TNF-α production in whole blood stimulated by LPS. Whole blood was stimulated with LPS for 4 h at 37°C, then plasma TNF-α was measured in VA group (A) or IA group (B). Data were shown as median ± interquartile range. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunn’s post hoc analysis. *** denotes P < 0.001. INTRA = intraoperative blood without LPS stimulation; INTRA + LPS = intraoperative blood stimulated by LPS; PRE = preoperative blood without LPS stimulation; PRE + LPS = preoperative blood stimulated with LPS.