Impact of Vitamin C Supplementation on Post-Cardiac Surgery ICU and Hospital Length of Stay

BACKGROUND Prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay after cardiac surgery is vitally important and is influenced by both intraoperative and postoperative factors. OBJECTIVES This randomized clinical trial study was designed to assess whether vitamin C supplementation could reduce the length of ICU and hospital stay in post-cardiac surgery patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Two hundred and ninety patients scheduled for adult cardiac surgery including coronary, valve and congenital operations were randomized into two groups: an intervention group, who received 2 g of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) intravenously, immediately before surgery in the operating theatre, followed by 1 g daily oral doses for the first 4 postoperative days; and a placebo group, who received an equal number of identical tablets in the same shape and size. RESULTS Hospital length of stay was significantly different between the two groups (10.17 ± 4.63 days in the intervention group vs. 12 ± 4.51 days in the placebo group; P = 0.01), while there was no significant difference in the ICU stay between the groups (3.42 ± 1.06 days in intervention group vs. 3.43 ± 1.09 days in the placebo group; P = 0.88). There were significant differences in the intubation time and the drainage volume in the ICU and the first 24 postoperative hours between the two groups (P for both = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS Vitamin C can decrease the length of hospital stay, drainage volume in the ICU and in the first 24 postoperative hours, intubation time and some complications in patients after cardiac surgery; perhaps by decreasing inflammatory factors.