The Association Between Intestinal Perfusion and Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation in Patients After Cardiac Valve Surgery

Background This study aimed to confirm that alterations in Doppler parameters of superior mesenteric artery(SMA) blood flow caused by intestinal hypoperfusion are associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation(PMV) in patients after cardiac valve surgery. Methods The patients' basic hemodynamics parameters, and the SMA blood flow parameters monitored by Doppler ultrasound were collected in the supine position at admission. The length of mechanical ventilation continued to be monitored. The SMA Doppler parameters were measured again when the patient was extubated. PMV was defined as MV≥96 hours.