Abstract Background: The indiscriminate use of blood transfusion in surgery has been associated with increased risk of infection and increased length of hospital stay. Objective: To identify the average amount of bleeding and rates of transfusion of blood products in the postoperative period of patients undergoing cardiac surgery in a cardiology center. Methods: Medical records of patients who underwent myocardial revascularization surgery and/or heart valve replacement with use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were analyzed. Perioperative data such as CPB time, […]

Abstract Background The European Heart Surgery Risk Assessment System (EuroSCORE) and InsCor have been used to predict complications of cardiac surgery. However, their application to predict lung function and functionality is still uncertain. Objective To correlate surgical risk scales with functional independence and pulmonary function in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods This was a prospective cohort study. In the preoperative period, the two surgical scales were applied, the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and peak […]

Background: Treatment of postoperative (PO) pain is essential after surgery, as it contributes to a faster rehabilitation. Assessment of PO pain after minimally invasive (MI) surgery has not been regularly addressed, especially when compared with median sternotomy (MS). Objective: This study aims to evaluate the intensity of thoracic pain in the PO period in patients subjected to MI surgery and MS. Methods: This study compared the intensity of thoracic pain in 34 patients subjected to minimally invasive (MI; n = […]

Abstract Background: Mechanical ventilation (MV) and extracorporeal circulation (ECC) are associated with a decline in pulmonary mechanics that may affect gas exchange. Objective: To evaluate the impact of pulmonary mechanics on MV duration and gas exchange in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery. Methods: This was a cohort study in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. All patients underwent evaluation of pulmonary mechanics (static compliance and airway resistance) and arterial blood gas analysis upon admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and […]

Abstract Background: Cardiovascular and pulmonary complications often occur in the immediate post- surgery period and may be prevented and/or treated with lung expansion techniques. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of lung expansion techniques in serum arterial lactate levels and oxygenation in patients in this surgical recovery phase. Method: A prospective and analytical study was carried out in postoperative cardiac surgery patients, hemodynamically stable. Measurements of artery lactate levels and partial pressure of oxygen were obtained from arterial blood samples drawn […]