Abstract

During cardiac surgery with heart arrested and aortic cross clamp on, heart suffers a variable degree of ischemia, and thus myocardial oxygen extraction (MOE) also varies with each cardioplegic dose. Does MOE have any bearing on postoperative outcome and can it be a reliable predictor of same? Aims: To study the myocardial oxygen extraction as a predictor of postoperative outcome in valvular replacement surgeries of heart. Materials and methods: 66 consecutive cases of valve replacement surgeries were included. Ischemic heart disease was ruled out in all. During surgery, Oxygen content of cardioplegic dose was ascertained at the aortic root and at coronary sinus, and MOE was calculated. Cases were divided into two groups: those with MOE more than 25ml% and others with less than 25ml%. Postoperative outcome was noted in each, viz a viz complications, hospital and ICU stay, morbidity and mortality. Statistical correlation was drawn. Results: In general, those with MOE higher than 25ml% had a better outcome, marked by significantly less complications, ICU and hospital stay and mortality. While as those with less than 25ml% had a worse outcome in similar parameters. Conclusion: Though high MOE was associated with a better postoperative outcome, more studies with bigger sample size need to be undertaken to validate the findings and establish MOE as a predictor of postoperative outcome.

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