Author: Саrdiac Anesthesiologist – 4M ago –
Postoperative hypothermia is the failure to return to or maintain normothermia (>36°C) 2 to 5 hours after an intensive care unit (ICU) admission associated with Cardiac Surgery (CS). Hypothermia is associated with increased bleeding, infection, a prolonged hospital stay, and death. Large registry observational studies suggest if hypothermia is of short duration, outcomes can be improved. Based on this evidence, we recommend prevention of hypothermia by using forced-air warming blankets, raising the ambient room temperature, and warming irrigation and intravenous fluids to avoid hypothermia in the early postoperative period (class 1, level B-NR).