The effects of continuous positive airway pressure mask on hemodynamic parameters after open heart surgery: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Controversies exist regarding the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask on hemodynamic parameters after open heart surgeries.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of CPAP mask on hemodynamic parameters after open heart surgery.
Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2015 on 72 patients who were to undergoing open heart surgery in Kashan, Iran. Patients were randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 36) and a control (n = 36) group. After postoperative extubation, a CPAP mask (with a pressure of 5 cmH₂O) used for patients in the intervention group (30 min every 8 h for five times). A checklist was used to document hemodynamic parameters 10 min before and after each phase of the intervention. Data analysis was performed using the repeated measures analysis of variance and the Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and the independent-sample t-tests.
Results: Results showed that CPAP mask had no significant effects on systolic blood pressure (P = 0.12), heart rate (P = 0.34), and mean arterial pressure (P = 0.12). However, it significantly affected diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.001) and central venous pressure (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: CPAP mask has no negative effects on hemodynamic parameters. Thus, it can be safely used for patients who undergo open heart surgeries.