Influence of Body Temperature During Cardiopulmonary Bypass on the Haemodynamics Early after Aorto-Coronary Bypass Surgery

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Abstract
The hemodynamic adaptation early after aorto-coronary bypass surgery, with special reference to the influence of body temperature on postoperative vasoconstriction, was studied in 20 patients. Cardioplegic arrest was used in all cases. Eleven patients were cooled to 30.degree. C during cardiopulmonary bypass, and 9 were normothermic (37.5.degree. C) while the heart was cooled selectively. The normothermic patients had significantly higher esophageal and skin temperatures in the immediate postoperative period, indicating better heat preservation. The systemic vascular resistance was similar in the 2 groups, i.e., it was moderately elevated initially and subsequently decreased. There was no significant difference regarding postoperative myocardial function. The normothermic patients woke up earlier after the operation than the hypothermic patients, and since they had a relatively low O2 intake index (0.10-0.12 mmol .cntdot. s-1 m-2), the possibility of earlier extubation in these patients is suggested.