“…* The observed hemodynamic changes in this investigation regarding CI, SVR, and shunt flow were similar to those in our previous investigation. 3 Other investigators have documented increases in CI, 24,32 decreases in SVR, 24,29,32 increases in shunt flow, 25,33,34 arrhythmias 28 when methylprednisolone is used in this setting. Postoperative vasodilation, although having certain beneficial physiologic effects (decreased afterload and decreased left ventricular end-diastolic volume and pressure), may increase postoperative use of pharmacologic agents to support mean arterial pressure, 3 increase postoperative A-a oxygen gradient because of increased shunt fraction, 2,3 or both.…”