Furosemide: Would it Help to Improve the Lungs as Evaluated by Sonography and Compliance During Aortic Coarctation Surgery

BACKGROUND: We evaluated furosemide on attenuating lung injury and/or edema during coarctation repair surgery. We evaluated dynamic lung compliance. We measured the degree of lung edema by means of lung ultrasound (LUS). We recorded the (PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio) as an indicator for oxygenation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study was conducted on 56 patients. Patients were divided into two groups: control group (Group C) which did not receive furosemide and furosemide group (Group F) at a dose of 1 mg/kg at induction of anesthesia. Dynamic lung compliance was calculated at induction (Cdyn 1) and at the end of the surgery (Cdyn 2). The (PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio) was calculated at start and end of surgery as (PF 1) and (PF 2), respectively. LUS was performed after induction (LUS 1) and at the end of the surgery. LUS 2 using the 12 regions method plotting the results on scale from 0 to 36. Mechanical ventilation days were recorded. RESULTS: Administering furosemide attenuated the lung injury/edema and other pulmonary complications. Furosemide administration improved the dynamic lung compliance in the F Group compared to the C Group. Furthermore, it increased the (PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio) in the F Group compared to the C Group. LUS scale values were lower in the F Group compared to the C Group. There was also less postoperative mechanical ventilation days. CONCLUSIONS: The use of furosemide was accompanied by improved lung injury/edema profile as indicated by a much less drop in dynamic lung compliance, better oxygenation, a more favorable LUS scale with less parenchymal lung affection.