Association between postoperative hypothermia and adverse outcome after coronary artery bypass surgery

Background. We examined the effect on outcome of mild hypothermia (< 36 deg rees C) upon intensive care unit (ICU) admission on patient outcome after c oronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods. We performed a retrospective database analysis of 5,701 isolated C ABG patients requiring CPB, operated upon from January 1995 to Tune 1997. P atients were classified as either hypo- (< 36 degrees C) or normothermic (g reater than or equal to 36 degrees C) upon ICU admission. ICU admission bla dder core temperature (BCT) versus outcome was evaluated. Outcome measures included mortality, resource utilization (mechanical ventilation time, ICU and hospital length of stay, and postoperative packed red blood cell transf usion), and major morbidity (cardiac, renal, neurologic, or major infection ). Results. Overall, patients admitted to the ICU with BCT < 36 degrees C had a significantly greater mortality (p = 0.02), prolonged mechanical ventilat ion (p = 0.007), packed red blood cell transfusion (p = 0.001), ICU (p = 0. 01), and hospital (p = 0.005) length of stay. Conclusions. BCT of less than 36 degrees C, upon ICU admission, has a signi ficant association with adverse outcome after CABG with CFB. (Ann Thorac Su rg 2000;70:175-81) (C) 2000 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.