Methylprednisolone does not benefit patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and early tracheal extubation

Abstract

Objective: We sought to determine whether methylprednisolone, when administered to patients undergoing cardiac surgery, is able to ward off the detrimental hemodynamic and pulmonary alterations associated with cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods: After institutional review board approval and informed consent was obtained, 90 patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery were randomized to 1 of 3 groups. Group 30MP patients received 30 mg/kg intravenous methylprednisolone during sternotomy and 30 mg/kg during initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass, group 15MP patients received 15 mg/kg methylprednisolone at the same 2 times, and group NS patients received similar volumes of isotonic sodium chloride solution at the same 2 times. Perioperative care was standardized, and all caregivers were blinded to treatment group. Various hemodynamic and pulmonary measurements were obtained perioperatively, as well as fluid balance, weight, peak postoperative blood glucose level, and tracheal extubation time. Results: Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients and intraoperative data were similar among the 3 groups. Patients receiving methylprednisolone (either dose) exhibited significantly increased cardiac index (P = .0006), significantly decreased systemic vascular resistance (P = .0005), and significantly increased shunt flow (P = .0020) during the immediate postoperative period. All 3 groups exhibited significant increases in alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (P < .0001), significant decreases in dynamic lung compliance (P < .0001), and significant decreases in static lung compliance (P