Impact of Noninvasive Ventilation Before and After Cardiac Surgery for Preventing Cardiac and Pulmonary Complications

This prospective randomized trial assessed whether noninvasive ventilation (NIV) before and after cardiac surgery reduces the incidence of acute pulmonary and cardiac failure in high-risk patients. A total of 216 adult patients at risk of postoperative complications were assigned to either NIV for five days pre- and post-surgery or to standard care alone. The primary outcome was the occurrence of cardio-respiratory failure within one month post-surgery. Results showed that 55.1 percent of the NIV group experienced cardiopulmonary failure, compared to 79.8 percent in the standard care group, with NIV significantly reducing the risk (RR 0.69, p<0.001). The benefit persisted at three months; however, there was no difference in intubation rates or ICU stay duration between the two groups. The use of NIV before and after cardiac surgery could effectively lower the rate of cardiopulmonary failure in high-risk patients.