The cardiovascular effects of hyperoxia during and after cabg surgery

Hyperoxia is frequently encountered in the intensive care unit (ICU) and during surgical procedures such as coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Higher oxygen concentrations intuitively provide a salutary oxygen reserve, but hyperoxia can induce adverse effects such as systemic vasoconstriction, reduction of cardiac output, increased microcirculatory heterogeneity and increased reactive oxygen species production. Previous studies in patients undergoing CABG surgery suggest reduced myocardial damage when avoiding extreme perioperative hyperoxia (>400 mmHg). Here, we compare moderate hyperoxia to near-physiological values.