What Time Should Motion Be Passed After Heart Surgery? What Happens If Performed During Raise In Temperature?

Posted on Fri, 20 Sep 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 20 Sep 2013 Answered on

Wed, 16 Oct 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, after heart surgery and when the body is at 32.5 and when the temp is being raised, at what time should range of motion be performed and what could happen if it is not performed during the raising of the temp

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
34°C best with risk benefit assessment to patient.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing in to us.

Hypothermia (32–35 °C) during cardiopulmonary surgery has well-documented neuroprotective benefits. Evidence suggests that hypothermia improves neurologic outcome even when induced after a cerebral ischemic event. Rewarming must proceed slowly, and the clinician may consider weaning at temperatures slightly below 37 °C in patients at high risk of an ischemic (stroke) event.

Hyperthermia—even if mild—can exacerbate any neurologic injury that occurs during surgery, so it is critical to avoid overheating of the brain during rewarming. Finally, physicians should continue temperature management into the postoperative period.

As per a group of researchers, as there is some raise in temperature after surgery, weaning is better at 34 degrees and this decreases the onset of postoperative cognitive deficits. It is important to note that this lower post-surgery temperature has the potential to cause hemodynamic instability or coagulopathy; the risks and benefits must therefore be weighed for each individual patient.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back in case of doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T