The effect of oral prednisolone with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is still one of the most important problems in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the beneficial effects of oral prednisolone on pulmonary functions in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.

METHODS: Forty patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were divided into two groups randomly and were given 20 mg oral prednisolone once daily perioperatively (Group I, n = 20) or identical placebo (Group II, n = 20). FEV(1) values, dates of intensive care unit and hospital stays of the two groups were compared.

RESULTS: FEV1 values during the admission to our hospital were similar in each group mean predicted FEV1: 56.7 +/- 5.35% in Group I and 57.2 +/- 4.88% in Group II (p = 0.759). After 10 days of oral prednisolone treatment in Group I, predicted FEV1 values were significantly different between two groups (63.2%+/- 4.24 and 57.9%+/- 4.38) (p = 0.0001). While predicted FEV1 values revealed difference between two groups at the date of discharge (p = 0.0001) the values became similar at the third month (55.6%+/- 4.09 in Group I and 55.45%+/- 3.87 in Group II) (p = 0.897).

CONCLUSION: Various types of complications may occur after cardiopulmonary bypass. Oral prednisolone not only decreases the rates of complications (reintubation, intubation times, and rhythm disturbances) but also decreases the cost of cardiac operations according to shorter hospital stays.