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Introduction: Microcirculatory dysfunction after cardiovascular surgery is associated with significant morbidity and worse clinical outcomes. Abnormal capillary blood flow can occur from multiple causes, including cytokine-mediated vascular endothelial injury, microthrombosis, and an inadequate balance between vasoconstriction and vasodilation. In response to proinflammatory cytokines, endothelial cells produce cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) which regulate leukocyte adhesion, vascular permeability, and thus can mediate tissue injury. The relationship between changes in microcirculatory flow during circulatory shock and circulating adhesion molecules is unclear. The objective of this study was to compare changes in plasma soluble endothelial cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-Selectin) in patients with functional derangements in microcirculatory blood flow after cardiovascular surgery.