Effect of coronary artery bypass grafting on blood pressure response to head-up tilting

Blood pressure response to head-up tilt (HUT) in 7 healthy subjects and 9 patients before and after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was measured during supine and 15-min 60° HUT. Stroke volume (SV) and ejection fraction (EF) were assessed by echocardiography. Baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) in patients before CABG were similar to healthy subjects. MAP in patients decreased by 6 (4-9) mmHg [median (1st-3rd quartiles)] during 7-12 mmHg of HUT with decreased cardiac output (CO = SV × HR) while HR remained unchanged. MAP in healthy subjects remained unchanged during HUT with increased HR. Body weight decreased by 3.5 (2.5-3.7) kg and MAP decreased by 6 (2-13) mmHg during the last 3-min HUT while HR increased after CABG. Decreases in SV and CO during HUT disappeared after CABG. Blood pressure decreased during HUT in patients before and after CABG regardless of HR response.