Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The management of temperature during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass: II--Effect of prolonged hypothermia.
In animals mild hypothermia (32-35 degrees C) reduces ischaemic brain injury, but this has not been investigated in humans. During hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) patients are made hypothermic (usually to 30-32 degrees C) but are then rewarmed at a time when they are still at risk of ischaemic brain injury. We investigated the feasibility and safety of maintaining mild hypothermia throughout the CPB period. ⋯ There were no differences between groups in intra- or postoperative blood loss or blood use, inotrope use, dysrhythmias, or myocardial infarction. The hypothermic group received more muscle relaxant for the treatment of shivering postoperatively. Our results suggest that mild hypothermia following CPB did not increase morbidity although larger studies are needed for confirmation.