Steroids and impact on cardiac surgical approach: A review of the literature

Because of their anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and immunosuppressive properties, corticosteroids are one of the most widely used drugs since 1940. Corticosteroids ward off adverse effects of cardiopulmonary bypass and detrimental alterations associated with activation of the systemic inflammatory response in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. In addition, it is shown that preoperative use of steroids are associated with shorter duration of ventilation, diminished blood loss and transfusion, less use of inotropic agents, lower occurrence of atrial fibrillation, shorter ICU and hospital length of stay. Corticosteroid use in open heart surgery is discussed in this review.