Effect of preoperative administration of allopurinol in patients undergoing surgery for valvular heart diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of preoperative administration of allopurinol in patients undergoing open-heart surgery (OHS) for valvular heart diseases.

METHODS

In this prospective randomised double-blind study, 50 consecutive patients undergoing OHS for valvular heart disease were randomised into two groups of 25 patients each: (a) control group received placebo and (b) test group received allopurinol prior to surgery. Serum troponin T and creatine phosphokinase-MB (CPK-MB) isoenzymes were measured prior to the induction of anaesthesia, at the time of aortic cross-clamp release and 24h following termination of cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperatively assessed parameters were inotropic score, rhythm, and duration of mechanical ventilation and occurrence of a low cardiac output state.

RESULTS

Significant differences were observed with respect to inotropic score: median 5 ((0-25) vs 0 (0-25) p=0.027) and mean 6.44+/-6.145 versus 3.4+/-5.54, mean duration of mechanical ventilation (11.1+/-4.9 vs 7.5+/-2.5 h, p=0.002, hospital stay (6.35+/-1.43 vs 5.04+/-0.611, p=0.001) and maintenance of normal sinus rhythm (NSR) (18 vs 25, p=0.004) between the control groups versus the test group, respectively. There were no significant differences in the levels and trends of troponin T and CPK-MB between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The administration of allopurinol prior to OHS for valvular heart diseases is associated with increased conversion and maintenance to normal sinus rhythm, reduced inotropic score and a reduction in the duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital stay. There was, however, no significant difference in the blood levels of CPK-MB and troponin T and a large sample size is required to assess this further.