Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a fully automated ventilator with a quick-wean option after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB).

Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed 54 patients (13 women, mean age 71.4 ± 8.2 years) who were undergone OPCAB alone. Patients were divided into two groups; patients using fully automated ventilation with a quick-wean option after OPCAB (AV group, n=41), patients using conventional synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation+pressure support mode (PV group, n=13), and the following data were analyzed and compared between two groups. We used the modified G5 fully automatic ventilator (INTELLiVENTASV mode with quick-wean option; Hamilton Medical, Rhazuns, Switzerland) as an automated ventilator.

Results: There was no significant difference in preoperative and operative characteristics. Ventilation time after OPCAB was significantly shorter in the AV group compared with the PV group (PV: AV=17.6 ± 1.7:16.3 ± 1.4 hours, p=0.026). There was no patient with re-intubation in both groups after respiratory weaning. In the AV group, the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay was significantly shorter than in the PV group (PV: AV=5.2 ± 1.6:4.4 ± 1.0 days, p=0.040).

Conclusion: Fully automated ventilation with a quick-wean option may facilitate respiratory management after OPCAB.

Keywords: Fully automated ventilation; Ventilator weaning; Offpump coronary artery bypass grafting