Post-Induction Low Cardiac Output Syndrome in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Hemodynamic change after induction of general anesthesia is usually judged from mean arterial pressure. Pressure, however, is a surrogate for flow, and the two can separate: cardiac output may fall while arterial pressure remains apparently adequate. The interval that follows induction of anesthesia, before surgical stimulation begins and while hemodynamic conditions are determined by anesthetic management alone, has not been characterized in terms of flow. This study is designed to define post-induction low cardiac output (PiLCOs) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. This is a prospective, observational, two-centre cohort study. Consecutive adults undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass at two tertiary cardiovascular surgery centre will be enrolled. No aspect of anesthetic or surgical management will be altered for the purposes