FAILURE OF ALLOPURINOL TO IMPROVE LEFT-VENTRICULAR STROKE WORK AFTER CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS-SURGERY

Objective: This study examined the effects of allopurinol on global le ft ventricular function after coronary artery bypass surgery. Design: A randomized prospective partially blinded study in 52 patients underg oing elective coronary artery bypass surgery. Setting: Conducted in a university-affiliate tertiary care facility. Interventions: Participan ts received 400 mg of allopurinol 18 hours and 400 mg of allopurinol o rally 3 hours before surgery or no allopurinol. Patients then received a standard anesthetic technique consisting of target-controlled opiat e infusion and inhalation anesthesia. Coronary artery bypass was perfo rmed using moderate hypothermia and oxygenated crystalloid cardioplegi a. Measurements and Main Results: Global left ventricular function was assessed by means of left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI) calcu lated before and after induction of anesthesia and after cardiopulmona ry bypass at 15 minutes, 6, 12 and 24 hours. There was no difference i n the LVSWI before or after surgery when the two groups were compared. Conclusions: In this population sample, the use of preoperative allop urinol did not result in improved left ventricular stroke work after c oronary artery bypass surgery. Copyright (C) 1996 by W.B. Saunders Com pany