Pulmonary complication frequency after cardiopulmonary bypass

There are many factors that influence and predict outcomes following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). According to latest publications postoperative lung complications such as atelectasis, pleural effusions, pneumonia and pulmonary oedema shows strong impact on patients outcome after (CPB) and can be identified in more than 50% of patients.  Aim of this study was to identify lung complications following CPB, evaluate its impact on patients time in intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay. 254 patients who underwent elective open heart surgery were included. Their chest radiograph examinations 6 and 12 hours after surgery were examined. Pathologic chest radiograph findings such as pleural effusion, atelectasis, lung congestion and hypoventilation were classified as postoperative lung complications. Hospitalisation time and time spent in ICU were analysed. Pathologic findings on chest radiograph 6 hours after surgery were identified in 109 (42,9 %) patients and on chest radiograph 12 hours after surgery in 129 (50,8%) patients. Most common finding was pulmonary congestion in 55 (21,7%) patients followed by hypoventilation in 45 (17,7%) and pleural effusion in 43 (16,9%) patients respectively. Patients without pathological findings on chest radiograph spent less time in ICU comparing to patient group with pathologic chest radiograph (1,2; SD 1,3 vs 1,7; SD 2,1; p – 0,015). Hospitalisation time was shorter (8,9; SD 4,0 vs 10,4; SD 5,4; p – 0,20 ) for patients without changes on chest radiograph. Our study showed similar lung complication frequency in our center comparing with data in literature worldwide. Lung injury after CPB remains common complication and has a major role on patient recovery.