Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with increased fluid filtration occasionally leading to post-operative organ dysfunction. One of the factors determining fluid filtration is the capillary hydrostatic pressure which depends on arterial pressure, venous pressure and pre- to post-capillary resistance ratio. The purpose of this study was to assess whether lowering of the mean arterial pressure and/or the central venous pressure could reduce fluid extravasation during normothermic and hypothermic CPB.
Methods: Seven piglets were given nitroprusside to a mean arterial pressure of 35-40 mmHg during 60 min of normothermic and 90 min of hypothermic CPB (LP group). They were compared with a control group (C group, n = 7) without blood pressure interventions. Blood chemistry, net fluid balance, plasma volume, colloid osmotic pressure in plasma and interstitial fluid, intravascular protein masses, fluid extravasation rate and total tissue water content were measured or calculated.
Results: Mean arterial pressure was significantly lower in the LP group than in the C group during CPB. Plasma volume tended to increase in the LP group (P > 0.05), but remained essentially unchanged in the C group. Net fluid balance in the LP group was more positive than in the C group 30 min after CPB start [1.02 (0.15) vs. 0.56 (0.13) ml/kg/min (Mean (SEM) P < 0.05)]. Fluid extravasation rate tended to be higher in the LP group and total tissue water content of the gastrointestinal tract, left myocardium and skin was significantly elevated compared with the C group.
Conclusion: During CPB, lowering of the mean arterial pressure using nitroprusside did not reduce fluid extravasation. On the contrary, the data may implicate an increase in edema formation during low pressure CPB.