Open Heart Surgery at Patient's Own Temperature Without Active Cooling

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Physiology
• Patient Outcomes

Background:

• Hypothermia is a standard myocardial protection technique in cardiac surgery, reducing metabolic demands.
• However, hypothermia can increase patient susceptibility to various complications.
• This study compares postoperative outcomes between normothermic and hypothermic cardiac surgery patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare postoperative differences in patients undergoing cardiac surgery under normothermia versus hypothermia.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of maintaining native body temperature during cardiac procedures.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 167 patients between June 2015 and September 2016.
• Patients were divided into two groups: normothermic (intraoperative body temperature ≥ 34°C) and hypothermic (intraoperative body temperature < 34°C - ≥ 28°C).
• Preoperative and postoperative data were recorded and analyzed for significant differences.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed in cross-clamp time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, or patient recovery metrics (awakening, extubation, ICU/hospital stay).
• Rates of arrhythmia, infection, renal insufficiency, neurological complications, myocardial infarction, and mortality were comparable between groups.
• Normothermic patients showed statistically significant lower requirements for inotropes and transfusions compared to the hypothermic group (P < .05).

Conclusions:

• Hypothermia, despite common use in cardiac surgery, is associated with potential harmful effects.
• Cardiac surgery can be safely performed at the patient's native temperature without active cooling.
• Normothermia may be a safer alternative to hypothermia, reducing the need for supportive medications and transfusions.