Prophylactic Nasal CPAP Following Cardiac Surgery
Background: Continuous positive airway pressure is a noninvasive respiratory support technique that may prevent pulmonary complications following cardiac surgery. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of prophylactic nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) compared with standard treatment.
The primary end points: were pulmonary adverse effects defined as hypoxemia (P/F ratio less than <100), pneumonia, and reintubation.
The secondary end point: was the readmission rate to the ICU or intermediate care unit (IMCU).
Methods: 500 patients who were scheduled for elective cardiac surgery. Following extubation either in the operating room (early) or in the ICU (late), patients were allocated to standard treatment (control) including 10 min of intermittent nCPAP at 10 cm H2O every 4 h or prophylactic nCPAP (study) at an airway pressure of 10 cm H2O for at least 6 hour.
Results:
- Prophylactic nCPAP significantly improved arterial oxygenation (Pao2/Fio2) without altering heart rate and mean arterial BP.
- Pulmonary complications including hypoxemia (defined as Pao2/Fio2 <100),>
- The readmission rate to the ICU or IMCU was significantly lower in nCPAP-treated patients (7 of 232 patients vs 14 of 236 patients, respectively).
Conclusions: The long-term administration of prophylactic nCPAP following cardiac surgery improved arterial oxygenation, reduced the incidence of pulmonary complications including pneumonia and reintubation rate, and reduced readmission rate to the ICU or IMCU. Thus noninvasive respiratory support with nCPAP is a useful tool to reduce pulmonary morbidity following elective cardiac surgery.
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Prophylactic Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Following Cardiac Surgery Protects From Postoperative Pulmonary Complications - CHEST May 2009 vol. 135 no. 5 1252-1259 .
