Is atelectasis following aortocoronary bypass related to temperature?
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of acute postoperative atelectasis in patients undergoing aortocoronary bypass with either normothermic (warm) or hypothermic (cold) technique.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized study comparing two groups.


METHODS
University-affiliated hospital.


METHODS
Three hundred thirty-one patients (166 cold and 165 warm) undergoing isolated aortocoronary bypass.


METHODS
Chest radiographs were obtained preoperatively, on the day of surgery, and subsequently as clinically indicated until discharge from the hospital. Radiologist (blinded to the patient allocation into warm or cold group) scored the atelectasis from 0 to 3 based on its severity. Regression analysis was used to determine if there was any difference in the atelectasis scores between the two groups.


RESULTS
Mean daily postoperative atelectasis scores were not different between the cold and warm groups. The number of patients requiring chest radiographs was similar in both groups. The percent of patients with abnormal chest radiographs was similar in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The temperature of cardioplegia has no effect on the development of atelectasis following aortocoronary bypass, and therefore temperature-related cold injury is not a major cause of atelectasis following this type of surgery.
Thomas
J A
JA
Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Toronto Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
Cusimano
R J
RJ
Hoffstein
V
V
D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D002314:Cardioplegic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006324:Heart Arrest, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016037:Single-Blind Method
D002314:Cardioplegic Solutions