Haemodynamic Effects of Pericardial Closure after Cardiac Surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Whether pericardial closure should be done or not is still a debated topic. While many studies favour pericardial closure after cardiac surgery, many are still not in favour of the same. Objective : Objective of this study was to analyse the changes induced by pericardial closure on the haemodynamic of the patient using easily measurable variables. Methods : Data of 30 patients were analysed of which 14 underwent mitral valve replacement, 10 underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and 6 underwent double valve replacement. Results: There was statistically significant change in cardiac output (p<0.01), central venous pressure (p<0.05) and left ventricular end diastolic diameter (p<0.01) after pericardial closure. Clinically the pericardial closure was well tolerated. Conclusion: Despite exhaustive experience, the topic of closing pericardium is still debated. Our study shows that clinically pericardial closure is well tolerated and in return it also safeguards the risks associated with re-do operations