ABSTRACT

In this study, we aimed to compare noninvasively the effects of right and left thoracotomies on cardiac output in the patients who would undergo thoracotomy. Forty male patients in the Group of ASA I who were planned to undergo elective thoracotomy were included in the study. Right thoracotomy and left thoracotomy were performed in Group I (n=20) and Group II (n=20), respectively. All cases were monitorized with noninvasive cardiac output monitor, and values of cardiac output, cardiac index, stroke volume and endtidal CO2 were measured. The data were recorded before and after induction at lateral decubitus position two, one and again two lung ventilation, and the last supine position. In intra-group comparisons in Groups I and II, statistically significant differences were detected in mean arterial pressure, heart rate, endtidal CO2 and peripheral oxygen saturation values before induction among two lung ventilations in supine position and lateral decubitis positon, and one lung ventilation (p<0.001). The differences among the values of cardiac output, cardiac index and stroke volume were statistically significant in right thoracotomies whereas they were not in left thoracotomies. There were not any statistically significant differences between the inter-group comparisons. In conclusion, statistically significant differences detected between right and left thoracotomies regarding mean arterial pressure, heart rate, endtidal CO2, peripheral oxygen saturation, cardiac output, cardiac index and stroke volume suggest that noninvasive cardiac output monitor can be used as a noninvasive monitor in thoracotomy operations.