"afterdrop"

Q: What is "afterdrop" during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)?



Answer: 

Most patients drop their core temperature after rewarming from hypothermic CPB and is known as "afterdrop".

It can be avoided by adequate rewarming before separation from CPB, and other measures such as increasing the room temperature, warming blood products and IV fluids and the use of a humidifier in ventilators. Hypothermia can have its own consequences with coagulopathy and platelet dysfunction.

#surgicalcriticalcare


References: 

Tindall MJ, Peletier MA, Severens NM, et al. Understanding post-operative temperature drop in cardiac surgery: a mathematical model. Math Med Biol 2008; 25:323.