Background: A debate has appeared in the recent literature about the optimum
rewarming strategy (slow vs. rapid) for the best brain function. This study was designed
to compare the effect of slow versus rapid rewarming on jugular bulb oxygen saturation
(SjO2) in adult patients undergoing open heart surgery. Materials and Methods: A total
of 80 patients undergoing valve and adult congenital heart surgery were randomly
allocated equally to rapid rewarming group 0.5 (0.136)°C/min and slow rewarming
group 0.219 (0.055)°C/min in jugular bulb sampling was taken before, during and after
surgery. Surgery was done at cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) temperature of 28-30°C
and rewarming was performed at the end of the surgical procedure. Results: CPB time,
rewarming period were signifi cantly longer in the slow rewarming group. Signifi cant
difference was observed in the number of the desaturated patients (SjO2 ≤ 50%)
between the two groups; 14 (35%) in rapid rewarming versus 6 (15%) in the slow
rewarming group; P = 0.035 by Fisher’s exact test. Conclusions: Slow rewarming
could reduce the incidence of SjO2 desaturation during rewarming in adult patients
undergoing open heart surgery.