[Metabolic changes following aorto-coronary bypass operations (author's transl)]

Metabolic changes following aorto-coronary bypass operations were observed in 10 patients. The observation time included the preoperative day, the day of operation, and 4 postoperative days. The patients were treated with a 5% dextrose solution for a period of 2 or 3 days. Additional oral feeding beginning on the 2nd or 3rd postoperative day was possible. This spontaneous calorie and nitrogen intake was estimated. There was an urea-nitrogen loss of 6.9 +/- 3.2 g (S.D.) on the day of operation and of 13.5 +/- 6.3 g (S.D.) the 4th postoperative day. From these values the nitrogen balance was calculated to be -8 g (operation day) and -11 g (4th p.o. day). Concentrations of the plasma pseudocholinesterases, the prealbumin, and the retinolbinding protein fell significantly to lower than normal values. Glucose utilisation was severely depressed on the day of operation. There were massive losses of potassium of about 140 +/- 41 mmol (S.D.) on the day of operation and the 1st postoperative day. Serum zinc levels were significantly below normal for 2 postoperative days combined with a high urinary excretion. The increase of free fatty acids in serum postoperatively was within normal values.