Abstract

GOMEZ, Mabel et al. Immediate postoperative hemoglobin in cardiovascular surgery as predictor of vasopressors and inotropes in Intensive Care Unit. Rev. Colomb. Cardiol. [online]. 2011, vol.18, n.4, pp.220-225. ISSN 0120-5633.

Background: patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery represent a management challenge in the intensive care unit, mainly due to the hemodynamic stress that results from surgery and to the co-morbidities frequently presented. A common disorder in the postoperative care is the left ventricular dysfunction with the consequent requirement of hemodynamic support. Traditionally, risk factors for the requirement of vasoactive agents have been established, but there are no studies for the association between low hemoglobin in the immediate postoperative period as independent marker, and the need of hemodynamic support. Objective: determine if the immediate postoperative anemia in cardiovascular surgery increases the use of both vasopressors and inotropes during the stay in the intensive care unit. Methodology: observational descriptive and retrospective study, in which 206 patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery from January 2008 to July 2009, were included. Results: most patients (82%) had no postoperative anemia (Hb > 9 g/dL); among these, 37,9% required vasopressors and 20,6 required inotropes (including balloon counter-pulsation). On the other hand, 62% of patients with postoperative anemia required vasopressors and 41% required inotropes during their stay in the intensive care unit. Conclusions: anemia during the immediate postoperative period of cardiovascular surgery is an adequate predictor of the need for vasopressors and inotropes during the stay in the intensive care unit.

Keywords : anemia; cardiovascular surgery; hemodynamic support; inotropy; vasopressors.

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