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Invited Commentary: Achieving Post-Bypass Hemostasis in Young Children: At What Cost?

Young children requiring bypass often develop coagulopathy resulting in major postoperative blood loss. Increased post-bypass bleeding and donor exposures are independently associated with adverse outcomes. When transfusion of hemostatic blood products fails to reduce bleeding to an acceptable level, rescue therapies including prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs), and/or recombinant activated factor VII are being given “off-label” with increasing frequency. A number of studies attempting to determine the safety and efficacy of PCCs in neonates and young children are being published. These studies are most commonly retrospective, observational, performed in a single center with varying doses, indications for, and timing of administration in a small number of patients with varying results. The results of these individual studies are questionable and are not to be generalized to other center's patients. Because factor VIII inhibitor bypassing activity (FEIBA) contains the activated form of factor VII and factor X there are concerns regarding the potential for thrombotic events in a population with a known risk of postoperative thromboembolism. Currently, there is no validated assay with which to measure the efficacy of FEIBA in vivo to determine dose titration. Well-designed multicenter randomized control trials are needed to determine the optimal dose and risk–benefit of PCCs after pediatric cardiac surgery. Until such data are available the decision to give a procoagulant to neonates and young children after bypass needs to be made when the consequences of blood loss and replacement pose more risk than the risk of thrombotic complications from the drug.

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Pericardial Effusions After the Arterial Switch Operation: A PHIS Database Review

Background: Pericardial effusion (PCE) is a significant complication after pediatric cardiac surgery. This study investigates PCE development after the arterial switch operation (ASO) and its short-term and longitudinal impacts. Methods: A retrospective review of the Pediatric Health Information System database. Patients with dextro-transposition of the great arteries who underwent ASO from January 1, 2004, to March 31, 2022, were identified. Patients with and without PCE were analyzed with descriptive, univariate, and multivariable regression statistics. Results: There were 4896 patients identified with 300 (6.1%) diagnosed with PCE. Thirty-five (11.7%) with PCE underwent pericardiocentesis. There were no differences in background demographics or concomitant procedures between those who developed PCE and those who did not. Patients who developed PCE more frequently had acute renal failure (N = 56 (18.7%) vs N = 603(13.1%), P = .006), pleural effusions (N = 46 (15.3%) vs N = 441 (9.6%), P = .001), mechanical circulatory support (N = 26 (8.7%) vs N = 199 (4.3%), P < .001), and had longer postoperative length of stay (15 [11-24.5] vs 13 [IQR: 9-20] days). After adjustment for additional factors, pleural effusions (OR = 1.7 [95% CI: 1.2-2.4]), and mechanical circulatory support (OR = 1.81 [95% CI: 1.15-2.85]) conferred higher odds of PCE. There were 2298 total readmissions, of which 46 (2%) had PCE, with no difference in median readmission rate for patients diagnosed with PCE at index hospitalization (median 0 [IQR: 0-1] vs 0 [IQR: 0-0], P = .208). Conclusions: PCE occurred after 6.1% of ASO and was associated with pleural effusions and mechanical circulatory support. PCE is associated with morbidity and prolonged length of stay; however, there was no association with in-hospital mortality or readmissions.

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