Heart and vessels
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Inotropic support after cardiac surgery is sometimes employed for a long period without any definite criteria to wean patients from it. There are few reports describing factors influencing the inotropic support period. This study was undertaken to clarify the proper inotropic support period, especially to judge which patients can be weaned from it within 24 h. ⋯ Multivariate analysis indicated that intra-aortic balloon pumping, blood transfusion, and cardiopulmonary bypass time significantly influenced the inotropic support period. Intra-aortic balloon pumping, blood transfusion, and cardiopulmonary bypass time might determine the inotropic support period. Appropriate surgical procedure and methods both reducing cardiopulmonary bypass time (<75 min) and minimizing blood loss are the keys to weaning patients from inotropic support within 24 h.