Relationship between Transesophageal Echocardiography-Derived Pulmonary Artery Systolic Pressure Measurements and Early Morbidity in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Context: We studied the relationship between intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography-derived (TEE-derived) pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) measurements with early morbidity in on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Aims: The objective of the study was to assess whether TEE-derived elevated PASP is independently predictive of significant morbidity. Settings and Design: Prospective observational study in a university hospital. Materials and Methods: Around 54 patients who underwent CABG under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were divided into two groups; with PASP >= 35 mmHg and PASP <35 mmHg, assessed by intraoperative TEE. Outcomes studied were poor coronary revascularization, postoperative arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, respiratory failure, intra-aortic balloon pump use, pacemaker dependence, significant inotrope use, prolonged intensive care unit stay, and the total length of stay in the hospital. Mortality analysis was not a part of this study since expected sample sizes were low. Results: Patients with PASP >= 35 mmHg had a higher risk of respiratory failure, increased inotrope use and prolonged hospital stay, although multivariate analysis failed to demonstrate an independent association of PASP with these outcomes. Diabetes mellitus (DM), peripheral vascular disease, low cardiac output and elevated mitral annular E/e' ratio were significantly associated with higher pulmonary arterial pressures. Multivariate analysis showed that PASP was independently associated with higher mitral annular E/e' ratio. Conclusions: Our study, therefore, suggests that higher PASP may predict higher left ventricular filling pressures, and although elevated PASP >= 35 mmHg may be associated with DM; peripheral vascular disease, lower intraoperative cardiac output, postoperative respiratory failure, higher inotrope use, and delayed hospital discharge, it is not an independent predictor of any of these variables.