[A comparison of the Arndt endobronchial blocker with a double lumen tube in robotic cardiac surgery].

Objective: In this prospective, randomised study a double lumen tube (DLT) or an Arndt bronchial blocker (BB) was used for one lung ventilation (OLV). Intraoperative oxygenation, ventilation, haemodynamics, and ease of placement were compared.

Methods: In 32 patients undergoing robotic harvesting of the left internal thoracic artery (ITA) a left-sided DLT or a BB controlled by bronchoscopy was used for OLV of the right lung. In 2 patients randomised for DLT, a single lumen tube and BB was used for difficult visualisation of the larynx. These 2 patients were excluded from the study.

Results: Correct placement of DLT (8.8 +/- 5.4 min, 87.5 % of the patients) as well as BB (6.5 +/- 4.0 min; n. s.; 100 % of the patients) was achieved rapidly. The Cormack-Lehane score for visualisation of the larynx was 2, 1 - 3 (median, range) in group DLT and 3, 1 - 4 (median, range) in group BB (p < 0.05). OLV lasted for 93 +/- 29 min in group DLT and 88 +/- 34 min in group BB (n. s.). Satisfactory conditions for harvesting ITA were achieved in all patients of both groups. There was no difference in any haemodynamic parameter at any time between the two groups. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance were increased without significant differences between the two groups during thoracoscopy for robotic preparation of left ITA. During OLV, index of paO (2)/FiO (2) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in DLT patients compared to BB patients. Time to extubation did not differ between the two groups (DLT 14.3 +/- 4.6 h; BB 11.8 +/- 3.8 h).

Conclusion: OLV in patients undergoing robotic cardiac surgery was safely achieved either by BB or by left-sided DLT. Positioning of the BB was easier than that of a DLT when intubation was difficult and tube exchange at the end of surgery is avoided. Therefore, we prefer a BB in patients undergoing robotic harvesting of left ITA.