Journal of Chest Surgery

The Korean Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (대한심장혈관흉부외과학회)
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Critical Illness-Related Corticosteroid Insufficiency in Patients with Low Cardiac Output Syndrome after Cardiac Surgery

  • Ok, You Jung (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Lim, Ju Yong (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Jung, Sung-Ho (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2017.08.28
  • Accepted : 2017.10.19
  • Published : 2018.04.05
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Abstract

Background: Low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) after cardiac surgery usually requires inotropes. In this setting, critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI) may develop. We aimed to investigate the clinical features of CIRCI in the presence of LCOS and to assess the efficacy of steroid treatment. Methods: We reviewed 28 patients who underwent a rapid adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) test due to the suspicion of CIRCI between February 2010 and September 2014. CIRCI was diagnosed by a change in serum cortisol of <$9{\mu}g/dL$ after the ACTH test or a random cortisol level of <$10{\mu}g/dL$. Results: Twenty of the 28 patients met the diagnostic criteria. The patients with CIRCI showed higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores than those without CIRCI ($16.1{\pm}2.3$ vs. $11.4{\pm}3.5$, p=0.001). Six of the patients with CIRCI (30%) received glucocorticoids. With an average elevation of the mean blood pressure by $22.2{\pm}8.7mm\;Hg$ after steroid therapy, the duration of inotropic support was shorter in the steroid group than in the non-steroid group ($14.1{\pm}2.3days$ versus $30{\pm}22.8days$, p=0.001). Three infections (15%) developed in the non-steroid group, but this was not a significant between-group difference. Conclusion: CIRCI should be suspected in patients with LCOS after cardiac surgery, especially in patients with a high SOFA score. Glucocorticoid replacement therapy may be considered to reduce the use of inotropes without posing an additional risk of infection.

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