Peri-Operative Morbidity and Quality of Life After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

Patients were randomized to one of two groups. In the first group (Low) the goal was to maintain MAP between 50-60 mm Hg during CPB. In the second group (High), the goal was to maintain MAP between 80-100 mm Hg. In both groups, CPB flow was held constant at 1.6 L/min/M2 (cool) and 2.4 L/min/M2 (warm) and vasoactive drugs (nitroglycerin or phenylephrine) were used to maintain MAP in the desired range. MAP was controlled in this fashion from the onset of CPB through separation from CPB began.