Efficiency of Indomethacin in Preventing Postpericardiotomy Syndrome After Heart Valve Replacement.

Abstract

Objective: Indomethacin is an effective safe first line treatment of postpericardiotomy syndrome (PPS). The aim of this study is to prove its efficiency in preventing PPS as well; specifically in its highest period of prevalence during the first postoperative month. Methods: Sixty rheumatic patients (mean age 36.9+ 11.1 years, 69.6% females) scheduled for heart valve replacement were equally randomized to receive either indomethacin 200 mg/day or placebo, starting one day before surgery till the 10th postoperative day. Two cases were excluded from each group (6.7%), for causes unrelated to therapy. Follow-up was completed for the other 56 patients. Results: Patients’ demographics were comparable in the 2 groups. At one month, 10 patients developed PPS (17.9%); 90% being recorded during the first postoperative week. The rates of PPS were: 7.1% in indomethacin group and 28.6% in control group (P= 0.036