Failure of allopurinol to improve left ventricular stroke work after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery

Objective: This study examined the effects of allopurinol on global left ventricular function after coronary artery bypass surgery. Design: A randomized prospective partially blinded study in 52 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery. Setting: Conducted in a university-affiliate tertiary care facility. Interventions: Participants received 400 mg of allopurinol 18 hours and 400 mg of allopurinol orally 3 hours before surgery or no allopurinol. Patients then received a standard anesthetic technique consisting of target-controlled opiate infusion and inhalation anesthesia. Coronary artery bypass was performed using moderate hypothermia and oxygenated crystalloid cardioplegia. Measurements and Main Results: Global left ventricular function was assessed by means of left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI) calculated before and after induction of anesthesia and after cardiopulmonary bypass at 15 minutes, 6, 12 and 24 hours. There was no difference in the LVSWI before or after surgery when the two groups were compared. Conclusions: In this population sample, the use of preoperative allopurinol did not result in improved left ventricular stroke work after coronary artery bypass surgery. Copyright (C) 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company