Octreotide for Management of Chylothorax following Bidirectional Glenn in a Three-Month-Old Infant

Abstract

Chylothorax developing after open heart surgery for congenital heart defects can be a challenging problem. Established therapies are not always efficacious. This report summarizes our experience using octreotide as an adjunct in the management of an intractable chylous effusion. The patient described underwent a bilateral bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis at 3 months of age. Postoperatively, the patient demonstrated significant quantities of milky fluid drainage from the right pleural chest tube. Initial management included diuretics, afterload reduction, and a non-fat diet. These maneuvers appeared to be effective. However, the patient experienced a recurrence of the effusion requiring re-admission to the hospital and re-insertion of a right pleural chest tube. Given the recalcitrant nature of the effusion, an infusion of octreotide was begun. An octreotide infusion was begun at 1 mcg/kg/hr and gradually increased to 3 mcg/kg/hr. Chest tube drainage diminished allowing chest tube removal 13 days later. The octreotide infusion was weaned off over the subsequent 10 days without any further effusion problems. Octreotide may be a useful adjunct in the management of intractable chylous effusions following congenital heart surgery.