['To assess the therapeutic role of the betareceptor agonist terbutaline in reducing postoperative pulmonary dysfunction following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).', 'Prospective, randomized, open controlled study.', 'Cardiac surgical intensive care unit. PATIENTS. 22 consecutive patients undergoing elective CABG.', '11 were randomized to receive terbutaline 0.5 mg subcutaneously 6 hourly for 48 hours following extubation (group T) while 11 controls did not (group C).', 'FVC, FEV1 and PEFR measured pre-operatively and at 30 min, 12 hrs, 36 hrs and 5 days post-extubation. A-aDO2 calculated from arterial blood gas analysis during the first 24 hrs post-CABG.', 'Terbutaline had no effect on spirometric variables which decreased by over 50% after extubation in both groups and increased in similar fashion over the next 5 days. A-aDO2 increased significantly (p<0.01) after extubation in both groups. Treatment with terbutaline eliminated this change in group T at 6 hrs after extubation.'] Does terbutaline improve efficiency of oxygenation after coronary artery bypass surgery?