Preliminary evaluation of the Arctic Sun temperature-controlling system during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.
BACKGROUND
Maintaining normothermia during off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery is a challenge not met by currently available medical devices and strategies. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a new thermoregulatory device, the Arctic Sun temperature-controlling circulating fluid adhesive pad system, in preventing hypothermia during OPCAB surgery.


METHODS
Thirteen consenting patients undergoing OPCAB had their temperature managed using the Arctic Sun system. They were matched with 23 consenting control OPCAB patients whose temperature was maintained with standardized, conventional therapy (elevated ambient operating room temperature, warmed intravenous fluids, and a convective forced air warming system placed under the surgical drapes). Nasopharyngeal temperature (recorded at 1-minute intervals) was compared between the two groups by analysis of both the time and area under the curve for a temperature less than 36 degrees C.


RESULTS
Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that the average amount of hypothermia in the Arctic Sun group was significantly less than in the control group, both for time spent less than 36 degrees C (20.7 vs 121.3 minutes, p = 0.0004) and for area under the curve less than 36 degrees C (11.8 degrees C vs 78.1 degrees C x minutes, p = 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
The Arctic Sun temperature-controlling system is more effective than conventional warming methods in preventing hypothermia during OPCAB surgery.
Stanley
Timothy O
TO
Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Cardiac Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
Grocott
Hilary P
HP
Phillips-Bute
Barbara
B
Mathew
Joseph P
JP
Landolfo
Kevin P
KP
Newman
Mark F
MF
D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013696:Temperature