The effects of Acetylcysteine on pulmonary functions in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery surgery

Objective: CPB has effects on postoperative pulmonary function. The pulmonary dysfunction developed after on-pump coronary surgery is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality. This study is designed for evaluating the effects of preoperative and intraoperative acetylcysteine administration on pulmonary function in on-pump coronary surgery patients.Methods: This study has been performed prospectively with 82 patients who had undergone coronary bypass surgery in Inonu Univercity Turgut Ozal Medical Center Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic from November 2007 to December 2008. The patients have been divided into two groups as control (group 1, n=40) and acetylcysteine (group 2, n=42) used. The pulmonary function tests done preoperatively and in postoperative day 60. The blood gases studied preoperatively and in postoperative day 2, 7 and 60.Results: The pO2 values in postoperative day 2 were lower from the preoperative, postoperative day 7 and 60 in both groups and it was statically significant. When we evaluate the results of general patient group, there was a reduction in postoperative values of pulmonary function tests but they were not statically significant (p>0,05). When we compared the pulmonary function test results of COPD subgroup, there was no significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative values of FEV1 and FEF25-75 in the acetylcysteine administrated group, but there was a staticallysignificant reduction in the postoperative values of FEV1 and FEF25-75 in the control group (p<0,05).Conclusion: We observed that acetylcysteine administration, in general patient group did not have positive effects, but in COPD subgroup, has positive effects on the postoperative pulmonary functions who had on-pump coronary surgery.Key words: Pulmonary functions, coronary surgery, acetylcysteine