Although the postpericardiotomy syndrome is a common complication of cardiac operations, the most effective drug regimen for the treatment of this condition has not been established. The present study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment of postpericardiotomy syndrome, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial with a 10-day course of ibuprofen or indomethacin. Of 1019 adult patients undergoing cardiac operations during a 14-month period, a diagnosis of postpericardiotomy syndrome was made in 187, and 149 were enrolled in the study. Diagnosis was based on the presence of at least two of the following: fever, anterior chest pain, and friction rub. Drug efficacy was defined as the resolution of at least two of these criteria within 48 hours of drug initiation. Ibuprofen and indomethacin were 90.2% and 88.7% effective, respectively, and both were significantly more effective than placebo (62.5%, p = 0.003). The occurrence of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, renal failure, and fluid retention, was low in all groups (13.1% for ibuprofen, 16.1% for indomethacin, and 16.7% for placebo [p = not significant). Length of hospital stay, incidence of ischemic events, and accumulation of significant pericardial effusions were similar in all groups. The results of this study demonstrate that both ibuprofen and indomethacin provide safe and effective symptomatic treatment for postpericardiotomy syndrome.
We have used immature commercial swine (13-25 kg) successfully in a variety of experimental cardiopulmonary surgical procedures in our laboratories since 1981. Multiple drug anesthetic protocols using barbiturates, narcotics, paralytic and antiarrhythmic agents have been employed in over 400 procedures per year. Complications, including fatal cardiac arrhythmias, have been greatly reduced by anesthetic protocols and surgical procedures developed through experience.
Patients with total repair of tetralogy of Fallot may have residual valvular dysfunction, the long-term effect of which is poorly defined. We prospectively studied 59 patients for 18 +/- 5 (mean +/- SD) years postoperatively by Doppler echocardiography and by 24-hour electrocardiographic monitoring. Right ventricular outflow gradients were estimated from the peak continuous-wave Doppler pulmonary artery velocity. The severity of valvular regurgitation was determined by mapping the proximal chamber by pulsed Doppler methods. Right ventricular diastolic cavity area was measured by planimetry of the apical image. The right ventricular outflow tract gradient had a mean value of 9.4 +/- 9.0 mm Hg (range, 0-58 mm Hg; median, 6.6 mm Hg). Pulmonary regurgitation was present in 78% of patients, with 59% of patients graded as mild and 19% as moderate. Tricuspid regurgitation was found in 65% of patients, with 56% of patients graded as mild, 7% as moderate, and 2% as severe. The severity of pulmonary regurgitation correlated with right ventricular cavity area (p less than 0.05). The severity of tricuspid regurgitation was not related to pulmonary stenosis or to the severity of pulmonary regurgitation. Aortic regurgitation is unusual (n = 11) and correlates with aortic root size. The frequency and type of ventricular arrhythmia were not related to the severity of pulmonary stenosis; however, ventricular bigeminy and couplets were related to the severity of pulmonary regurgitation (p less than 0.025). The majority of patients with total repair of tetralogy of Fallot have remarkably good long-term valvular function. For the minority with moderate or severe valvular dysfunction, pulmonary regurgitation is the best marker for ventricular arrhythmias.
Although the postpericardiotomy syndrome is a common complication of cardiac operations, the most effective drug regimen for the treatment of this condition has not been established. The present study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment of postpericardiotomy syndrome, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial with a 10-day course of ibuprofen or indomethacin. Of 1019 adult patients undergoing cardiac operations during a 14-month period, a diagnosis of postpericardiotomy syndrome was made in 187, and 149 were enrolled in the study. Diagnosis was based on the presence of at least two of the following: fever, anterior chest pain, and friction rub. Drug efficacy was defined as the resolution of at least two of these criteria within 48 hours of drug initiation. Ibuprofen and indomethacin were 90.2% and 88.7% effective, respectively, and both were significantly more effective than placebo (62.5%, p = 0.003). The occurrence of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, renal failure, and fluid retention, was low in all groups (13.1% for ibuprofen, 16.1% for indomethacin, and 16.7% for placebo [p = not significant). Length of hospital stay, incidence of ischemic events, and accumulation of significant pericardial effusions were similar in all groups. The results of this study demonstrate that both ibuprofen and indomethacin provide safe and effective symptomatic treatment for postpericardiotomy syndrome.
