Methylprednisolone sodium succinate reduces postoperative hyperthermia but does not affect cardiac function after aortic valve replacement

Objective

Steroids have been used in cardiac surgery for many years to reduce the inflammatory response associated with extracorporeal circulation. However, their clinical benefits have not been well established. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of methylprednisolone on body temperature and cardiac index in the postoperative period of aortic valve replacement with extracorporeal circulation and aortic clamp.

Patients

Twenty-two consecutive patients undergoing aortic valve replacement and extracorporeal circulation. The patients received methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg; n = 11, MP group) or received no medication (n = 11, no MP group) before cardiopulmonary bypass. Clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients were similar in both groups.

Measurements and main results

Body temperature (T°, °C) and cardiac index (CI, l/min/m²) were measured in the postoperative period on admission in the ICU and at 4 hours and 8 hours after ICU admission. On admission to ICU there were no differences in temperature between groups. Body temperature was significantly lower in group MP at 4, and 8 hours after ICU admission (P < 0.05) (Fig. 1).Cardiac index increased during the postoperative period, with no significant differences between groups (Fig. 2).

Figure 1

Figure 2

Conclusion

Methylprednisolone sodium succinate reduces hyperthermia without affecting cardiac function in the postoperative period of aortic valve replacement with extracorporeal circulation and aortic clamp.