Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) has been identified as a strong marker for cardiovascular disease; however, no data are available concerning the role of GDF-15 in the occurrence of organ dysfunction during cardiac surgery associated with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Thirty four patients, programmed to have non-urgent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), were included in our study. Arterial blood samples were taken sequentially from anesthesia induction (IND) until 24h after arrival at the cardiovascular intensive care unit (ICU). Plasma levels of GDF-15, follistatin-like 1 (FLST1), myeloperoxidases (MPO), hydroperoxides and plasma antioxidant status (PAS) were measured at each time-point. Markers of cardiac (cardiac-troponin I, cTnI) and renal dysfunction (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, NGAL) and other classical biological factors and clinical data were measured. GDF-15 plasma levels increased gradually during surgery and after, reaching nearly than three time IND levels in the ICU (2,904±282 ng/L vs. 1,061±90 ng/L, p<0.001). MPO plasma levels increased dramatically just after unclamping (UNCLAMP, 49±11ng/mL vs. 1,116±94ng/mL, p<0.001) while PAS significantly decreased between IND and UNCLAMP (p<0.05), confirming the high oxidative status of this surgical procedure. Compared with IND levels, cTnI and NGAL increased significantly (p<0.001) after surgery. ICU levels of GDF-15 and NGAL were positively associated (p=0.026). During cardiac surgery associated with CPB, GDF-15 levels were notably increased and associated with markers of cardiac injury, renal dysfunction (urea, creatinin, GFR, NGAL) and glycaemia.