PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL ASPECTS OF THE CO2 PNEUMOPERITONEUM (CO2-PP)

Experimental studies demonstrated a severe cardiac load of the CO2 pne umoperitoneum caused by an accelerated after- and a decreased preload. Patients displaying cardiovascular risks are therefore often rejected from laparoscopic surgery. Hence, the pathophysiological changes and the intraoperative risk of the CO2 pneumoperitoneum in high-risk cardi opulmonary patients (NYHA II-III, n = 15) undergoing laparoscopic chol ecystectomy are described. The changes in cardiac after- and preload s eem to be due to the elevated intraabdominal pressure rather than tran speritoneally resorbed CO2 and are reversible by desufflation. In one patient conversion to open operation had to be performed because of a severe drop in cardiac output and right ventricle ejection fraction. M ixed oxygen saturation was predicting intraoperative worsening in this case. The described pathophysiological changes may seem to be well to lerated even in high-risk cardiac patients. Monitoring of hemodynamics should include an arterial catheter line and blood gas analyses. Phar macologic interventions or pressureless laparoscopic procedures might not be necessary as long as laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed.