Effects of single dose methylprednisolone on patient recovery after cardiopulmonary bypass

Ischaemic reperfusion injury, systemic inflammatory response and multi-organ dysfunction are not infrequent following Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB). We investigated the role of methylprednisolone in minimizing this state. Hundred consecutive patients undergoing elective single heart valve replacement surgery were randomized to receive methylprednisolone 30 mg/kg (M group) or placebo (P group) after induction of anaesthesia. Data were analyzed using the‘t’ test and Fischer test. The cardiac indices in the M and P group were 2.79 ± 0.13 L/min/m2 and 2.52 ± 0.26 L/min/m2 respectively (p