Kardiorespiratorische dekompensation in der postoperativen weaning-phase nach koronarer bypass-operation

During stepwise postoperative weaning from artificial ventilation a transfer is necessary from mechanical to spontaneous modes of breathing support. The final phase before extubation includes the reduction of the airway support pressure. Rapid reduction may lead to arterial hypoxemia and succeding hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. We describe a case of dramatic and repeated responses of the pulmonary vasoregulation to moderate reduction of airway support pressure in an awake and hemodynamically stable cardiosurgical patient.