The effect of two different levels of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) in the incidence of atelectasis after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

The incidence of atelectasis after coronary artery bypass graft surgery is highly recommended due to the impact of different levels of PEEP to prevent these complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of PEEP after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
This study was performed by clinical trial. The sample size in this study was 90 patients. Non-probability sampling was conducted in consecutive patients that using a stratified block randomized to intervention and control groups (each group n = 45). In the control group of patients after surgery, upon arrival in the intensive care unit until tracheal extubation rates PEEP of 5 cm H2O received Patients in the intervention group after entering the intensive care unit for 4 hours average PEEP of 10 cm H2O received. Six hours after tracheal extubation atelectasis of the final diagnosis of chest radiographs, oxygen saturation and body temperature were used. For statistical analysis, chi-square test and t-test used.
The incidence of atelectasis in the intervention group, in 7 patients were about (15.6%) in the control group, and in 16 patients were about (35.6%) which was statistically significant difference (P= 0.03). The mean arterial oxygen saturation was more higher in the intervention group rather than the control group and the difference was statistically significant (P= 0.025).
This study shows that the use of PEEP levels of 10 cm H2O after coronary artery bypass graft surgery can reduce the incidence of postoperative atelectasis. So, it is recommended to use this method in order to reduce the incidence of atelectasis.