Abstract
Amrinone was used as the sole vasoactive medication in 9 of 14 children (aged 5 months to 8.25 years) given the drug following open repair of congenital cardiac lesions. Four children received a concomitant dopamine infusion and one infant had the infusion stopped after 5 hours for low mean arterial pressure (49 mmHg). In the 10 children receiving only amrinone, cardiac index increased 21% (range, 0 to 94%) after a total loading dose of 4.5 mg/kg given over 1 hour. Four of 14 patients (29%) required dopamine infusions to maintain mean arterial pressure over 55 mmHg and in these children cardiac index increased from baseline and was maintained during the amrinone infusion. Preload was held constant by administration of whole blood or plasmanate during amrinone loading; a decrease in systemic vascular resistance index was seen resulting in a stable arterial blood pressure. Minimal chronotropic effect was seen and no arrhythmias occurred. The sole child with postoperative pulmonary hypertension had a beneficial decrease in pulmonary artery pressure, increase in cardiac index, and stable systemic blood pressure during amrinone use. Cardiac index changes during amrinone loading in these children were variable and less clearly related to serum levels than reported in adults. Pharmacokinetic analysis in 12 children showed a clearance of 3.4 mL/min/kg, a volume of distribution of 1.65 L/kg, and an elimination half-life of 5.75 hours. Decreases in platelet counts were seen in 6 children and platelet transfusion was needed in 1; thus, serial platelet counts should be monitored. Amrinone was a useful agent in the immediate postoperative period in a diverse group of children following open heart surgery for congenital heart lesions. This agent appears to be an addition to, but not a replacement for, the sympathomimetic agents used for cardiac support.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.