Pulmonary Effects of Methylprednisolone in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Early Tracheal Extubation

Abstract

Traditionally, methylprednisolone has been administered to patients undergoing cardiac surgery to decrease postoperative pulmonary dysfunction. This study revealed that the drug is associated with larger increases in postoperative alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient and shunt and prolonged tracheal extubation time in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, which indicate that use of the drug may hinder early tracheal extubation.