Table 1 Patients baseline characteristics (N = 25)

Sex (M/F)

17/8

Body mass index (kg/m²)

27.1 ± 6.0

EuroSCORE

3 [2-13]

Preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (%)

68 ± 9

Hypertension

11 (44)

Peripheral vascular disease

7 (28)

Coronary artery disease

16 (64)

Diabetes mellitus

3 (12)

Type of surgery

Coronary artery bypass grafting

9 (36)

Aortic valve replacement

8 (32)

Mitral valve repair

2 (8)

Combined cardiac surgery

6 (24)

Mechanical ventilation

Inspired fraction of O₂ (%)

51 ± 6

Tidal volume/ideal body weight (mL/kg)

9.0 ± 1.2

Respiratory rate (per min)

13 ± 2

Positive end-expiratory pressure (cmH₂O)

4.6 ± 1.4

Inotropic or vasoactive requirement

Dobutamine^a

1 (4)

Norepinephrine^b

7 (28)

Central core temperature (°C)

36.4 ± 0.7