Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy in Gastrointestinal Surgery in Older Coronary Heart Disease Patients: Randomized Trial

Background Our aim was to determine whether substitution of goal-directed fluid therapy (GDT) (perioperative fluid administration) for traditional therapy to manage elderly patients with coronary heart disease scheduled for gastrointestinal (GI) surgery was advantageous. We determined if it would reduce cardiac complications and shorten time to recovery and discharge. Methods Altogether, 60 of these elderly patients were randomized into GDT ( n = 30) and control ( n = 30) groups. In the GDT group, fluid management was carried out under guidance of hemodynamic status indicators. Types and quantities of fluids administered, blood loss, intraoperative urine output, time of extubation, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, hospital stay, postoperative adverse cardiac events, and GI complications were recorded. Results Total fluids infused were 2,910 ± 645 ml (GDT group) and 3,640 ± 771 ml (control group) ( p