Thoracic epidural analgesia improves pulmonary function in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Purpose: Pulmonary dysfunction commonly occurs following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, increasing morbidity and mortality. We hypothesized that thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) would improve pulmonary function and would decrease complications in patients undergoing CABG surgery.

Methods: This prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted with Ethics Board approval.

Postoperative pulmonary function in coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients undergoing early tracheal extubation: a comparison between short-term mechanical ventilation and early extubation.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a short period of mechanical ventilation (3 hours) versus immediate extubation (within 1 hour of surgery) on pulmonary function, gas exchange, and pulmonary complications after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Design: Prospective randomized study.

Setting: University teaching hospital.