Which patients can be weaned from inotropic support within 24 hours after cardiac surgery?

Inotropic support after cardiac surgery is sometimes employed for a long period without any definite criteria to wean patients from it. There are few reports describing factors influencing the inotropic support period. This study was undertaken to clarify the proper inotropic support period, especially to judge which patients can be weaned from it within 24 h. From January 2000 to December 2001, 151 patients, 88 (58.2%) with ischemic heart disease, 51 (33.8%) with valvular disease, 7 (4.6%) with congenital heart disease, and 5 (3.4%) with other heart disease, underwent cardiac surgery. The mean age was 66.2 +/- 10.1 years (range 30-95); 98 patients (65%) were male. The data were analyzed retrospectively. Eighty patients (53%) were weaned from inotropic support within 24 h after cardiac surgery. Univariate analysis showed that intra-aortic balloon pumping, blood transfusion, operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and aortic cross-clamping time significantly influenced the inotropic support period. Multivariate analysis indicated that intra-aortic balloon pumping, blood transfusion, and cardiopulmonary bypass time significantly influenced the inotropic support period. Intra-aortic balloon pumping, blood transfusion, and cardiopulmonary bypass time might determine the inotropic support period. Appropriate surgical procedure and methods both reducing cardiopulmonary bypass time (<75 min) and minimizing blood loss are the keys to weaning patients from inotropic support within 24 h.