Cardiopulmonary and systemic effects of methylprednisolone in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)-related inflammatory response can be attenuated by glucocorticoid treatment, but its impact on postoperative cardiopulmonary function remains controversial. It was investigated whether the systemic and myocardial antiinflammatory effects of glucocorticoids are associated with improved cardiopulmonary function in cardiac surgery patients.

Methods: Eighty patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly assigned to receive a single shot of methylprednisolone (15 mg/kg) or placebo before CPB.