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Evaluation of a new temperature management system during off-pump coronary artery bypass

Pensacola Heart Institute, Pensacola, FL, USA

^* Corresponding author. Cardiothoracic Surgical Associates of Northwest Florida, 5151 North Ninth Avenue, Suite 200, Pensacola, FL 32504, USA. Tel.: +1-850-857-1734; fax: +1-850-857-1747
vassiliades{at}pol.net

Objective: We evaluated the performance of a new temperature management system (Arctic Sun^TM, Medivance, Inc.) in maintaining normothermia during off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB). Patients and methods: Ninety-eight unselected patients were prospectively randomized to either a conventional temperature management method (consisting of a sterile forced-air warming blanket, warm intravenous fluids, and maintenance of a warm OR) or the new Arctic Sun system (two pads, Arctic Sun Energy Transfer Pads^TM placed on the patient's back with temperature-controlled water flowing through the pads). Results: The mean age, body surface area, and total operating time were similar in both groups. Despite significantly lower room temperatures in the Arctic Sun group, the system maintained higher bladder and nasopharygeal temperatures ( and , respectively). A core temperature of at least 36 °C was achieved in 97% of the Arctic Sun patients compared with 42% in the conventional group. Additionally, intra-operative blood loss for the Arctic Sun patients was significantly less . Conclusions: The Arctic Sun system significantly outperformed conventional techniques in achieving and maintaining normothermia during off-pump coronary artery bypass.

Key Words: Coronary artery bypass; Hypothermia; Temperature Management System