Use of positive end‐expiratory pressure (20 cmH₂O) for 60 s during elective heart surgery: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough lung expansion therapy with positive end‐expiratory pressure (PEEP) following heart surgery is associated with positive clinical outcomes, whether such therapy can improve oxygenation and diminish the occurrence of lung complications when performed during heart surgery with extracorporeal circulation (ECC) is not yet clear.ObjectiveAnalyze the impact of lung expansion therapy with PEEP at 20 cmH2O for 60 s during elective heart surgery.MethodsA randomized clinical trial was conducted. The experimental group (EG) (n = 27) received PEEP at 20 cmH2O for 60 s during heart surgery at the moment in which ECC was ended. No intraoperative maneuver was performed in the control group (CG) (n = 15).ResultsThe incidence of atelectasis upon hospitalization and the pre‐maneuver oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) were similar between the groups. A lower incidence of atelectasis in the immediate postoperative period (7.4%, p = 0.03) and shorter time on noninvasive mechanical ventilation (TNIMV) (5.78 ± 2.54, p = 0.01) were found in the EG compared with the CG.ConclusionsThe application of PEEP at 20 cmH2O for 60 s during heart surgery reduces the incidence of atelectasis in the immediate postoperative period and shortens the TNIMV. This maneuver proved to be safe, with no adverse events.