Impact of Chest Wall Mechanics on Lung and Cardiovascular Function During Delayed Sternal Closure

This research study is being done so that investigators can understand the complex interactions between the heart, the lungs and the chest wall after heart surgery. Understanding this may guide future care that can help patients with their recovery from heart surgery. The heart and lungs work together to make sure the body has the oxygen-rich blood it needs to function properly. The chest wall protects the heart, lungs, and other important organs. Investigators would like to learn how a patient's chest wall contributes to the heart and lungs interaction when the chest is left open after heart surgery. Investigators will be using a device called an esophageal pressure catheter to estimate the pressure that is transmitted to the lungs and heart, called pleural pressure. Previous research has shown that this pressure measurement is used to adjust the breathing machine for patients with lung diseases. Measuring the pressure transmitted to the lungs and heart after heart surgery and delayed chest wall closure may help investigators understand how the chest wall contributes to the heart and lung interaction.