Early postoperative 30 degrees lateral positioning after coronary artery surgery: influence on cardiac output

Abstract

Early postoperative 30? lateral positioning after coronary artery surgery: influence
on cardiac output
Aims and objectives. We investigated whether: (i) Early postoperative lateral position
after coronary artery bypass surgery may have a negative influence on the
cardiac output and (ii) Whether turning procedures cause practical problems.
Background. Directly following surgery, coronary artery bypass patients are not
receiving routine turning every two hours to prevent pressure ulcers, because a
negative influence on hemodynamic parameters is assumed.
Design. Clinical trial.
Methods. Fifty-five coronary artery bypass patients were randomly assigned to four
intervention regimens and underwent a two-hour period of 30? lateral position.
Fourteen patients in supine position served as a reference group. We hypothesized
that 30? lateral position does not cause a relevant change in the cardiac output.
Results. Turning the patients did not have any significant influence on the cardiac
index, not even in the patients in a poor hemodynamic condition. The cardiac index
in 30? lateral position and supine position two to eight hours postoperatively after
coronary artery bypass surgery is statistically bioequivalent. No clinically relevant
deviations from preset ‘safe’ values for mean arterial pressure, right atrial pressure,
pulmonary artery wedge pressure and pulmonary arterial pressure were observed,
which would require ending the lateral position. There were no practical problems
hindering the turning regimen, not even in the patients with an intra-aortic balloon
pump.
Conclusions. Early postoperative turning of coronary artery bypass surgery patients
in lateral position is an easy and feasible procedure that does not influence the
cardiac index not even in patients receiving antihypertensive or inotropic/vasopressor
therapy. Further research is needed to find out whether our findings are also
valid in other patient groups and other position conditions.
Relevance to clinical practice. If there are no strict contra-indications, lateral
position has to be considered to prevent complications of continuous supine position
within two hours after coronary artery bypass surgery patients have been admitted
to the intensive care unit.

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Identifiers

ORCID for L. Schoonhoven: orcid.org/0000-0002-7129-3766

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