Patients having cardiac surgery experience a myriad of fluid and electrolyte disorders. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) can cause multiple physiologic alterations, including electrolyte disturbances, acid-base imbalances, atelectasis, diminished pulmonary compliance, hemolysis, and thromboembolism. Cardioplegic solutions and induced hypothermia impose alterations in potassium metabolism and pH. The stress of surgery increases catecholamine circulation and augments antidiuretic hormone release, both of which affect fluid and electrolyte equilibrium. Dilution of the circulating blood volume from pump perfusate and volume resuscitation with crystalloid and colloid solutions produce fluid, electrolyte, and hemostatic disorders. Nonpulsatile flow produced by CPB can alter renal function. This article describes the metabolic alterations that are iatrogenically produced by cardiac surgery and the nursing and medical therapies aimed at correcting such alterations
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
1 August 1992
Fluid and Electrolytes|
August 01 1992
Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances After Cardiac Surgery
Patricia L. Vaska, RN, MSN, CCRN
Prom the Department of Critical Care Nursing, Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Palls, South Dakota.
Reprint requests to Patricia L. Vaska, RN, MSN, CCRN, 2409 Marson Dr., Sioux Palls, SD 57103.
Search for other works by this author on:
AACN Adv Crit Care (1992) 3 (3): 664–671.
Citation
Patricia L. Vaska; Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances After Cardiac Surgery. AACN Adv Crit Care 1 August 1992; 3 (3): 664–671. doi: https://doi.org/10.4037/15597768-1992-3013
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
AACN Account
Sign InSign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionShort-term Access
Purchase short-term access on a pay-per-article or pay-per-issue basis.
$15 72 - hour single article access $30 7 - day full issue access