ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of topical hypothermia on postopera-tive respiratory functions.

The patients were divided into 2 groups: In Group A (n=258) there were patients who had myocardial protection without topical hypothermia, in Group B (n=473) was consisting of topical hypothermia applied patients. Topical hypothermia was repeated epicardially in every cardioplegia administration. The duration of postoperative intubation, number of reintubations, duration of intensive care unit stay and hospitalization, morbidity and mortality and other clinical findings were retrospectively evaluated.

The demographic data were similar in both groups. The mean intubation duration wasn’t statistically significant between the two groups (6.8±3.1 hours for Group A, 7.4±2.8 hours for Group B, p>0.05). There was no significant difference between two groups when durations of mean in-tensive care unit stay and hospital stay were compared (p>0.05). The mortality rates were similar between the groups and none of them were due to respiratory problems. In Group A, 10 patients were reintubated while in Group B, 18 patients were reintubated because of respiratory failure and showed no significant difference between the groups statistically (p>0.05).

The benefit of topical hypothermia in cardiac surgery is still acceptable despite possi-ble complications, which may occur. However, it will be logical to decide the appropriate myocardial protection method for surgery according to the patient’s preoperative status.

Keywords: Cardiac Surgery, myocardial protection, topical hypothermia