Alʹmanah Kliničeskoj Mediciny (Dec 2019)

Prognostic value of lung ultrasonography after on-pump cardiac surgery

  • E. V. Fot,
  • N. N. Izotova,
  • M. V. Vinogradov,
  • V. V. Kuzkov,
  • M. Y. Kirov

DOI
https://doi.org/10.18786/2072-0505-2019-47-053
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 47, no. 7
pp. 654 – 661

Abstract

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Rationale: Along with bedside plain chest radiography, lung ultrasonography is being increasingly used for detection of postoperative respiratory complications. Aim: Our study was aimed at the evaluation of lung ultrasonography efficacy for the diagnosis of postoperative respiratory complications in patients after the on-pump cardiac surgery. Materials and methods: The study included 39 patients who had undergone elective cardiac on-pump surgery. Assessment of hemodynamic parameters and blood gases was done at admittance to the intensive care unit (ICU), as well as at 6 and 24 hours after surgery. Lung ultrasonography was also performed including counting of B-lines in 12 lung quadrants at 6 and 24 hours after surgery, as well as chest radiography at 24 hours. Duration of mechanical ventilation, time in ICU and in-hospital stay were also evaluated. Results: Gas exchange deterioration was associated with increased numbers of B-lines: 9 (5 to 15) at 24 hours after surgery. In the patients with PaO<sub>2</sub>/FiO<sub>2</sub> above 300 mm Hg the number of B-lines at 24 hours after surgery was 4 (2 to 8) (р = 0.04). Plain chest radiography at 24 hours after surgery revealed abnormalities in 69% of the patients. Discoid atelectases were the most common findings (n = 13). The ROC analysis showed that increased numbers of B-lines above 10 at 6 hours after completion of the surgery was predictive of the development of X-ray abnormalities at 24 hours (AUC 0.82, р = 0.02, sensitivity 86%, specificity 76%). At 6 hours after the intervention the patients who subsequently required prolonged mechanical ventilation had increased numbers of B-lines (15 [14–27]) compared to those who could be extubated within the first 24 hours after surgery (10 [3–13], p = 0.02). Conclusion: Lung ultrasonography monitoring accelerates the diagnosis of respiratory problems after cardiac surgery and allows timely identification of the patients requiring prolonged respiratory support and ICU stay.

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