Cardiovascular Surgery Patients Research Articles

Influencia del polimorfismo rs11549465 de HIF-1α en los niveles de hemoglobina y lactato en pacientes de cirugía cardiovascular

Introducción. La anemia perioperatoria es una complicación común de la cirugía cardiovascular. Pacientes con el alelo T del polimorfismo rs11549465 de HIF-1α podrían tener niveles alterados de hemoglobina y lactato antes, durante y después de la cirugía, en comparación con los del ancestral. Esto, por un aumento en la estabilidad de HIF-1α causado por este.Objetivo. Describir la frecuencia del alelo T en pacientes de cirugía cardiovascular programada y su relación con los niveles de hemoglobina y lactato.Materiales y métodos: Se aisló ADN de 84 pacientes de cirugía cardiovascular para genotipificación por secuenciación de Sanger y se recolectaron características demográficas y clínicas.Resultados. La frecuencia del alelo T fue 0.066 (IC95%: 0.037-0.114). No hubo diferencias significativas en los niveles de hemoglobina y lactato preoperatorios, intraoperatorios y posoperatorios entre pacientes con alelo T y aquellos con alelo ancestral.Conclusión. La frecuencia del alelo T fue menor que la esperada, de acuerdo con otros estudios en poblaciones similares de voluntarios sanos y no mostró diferencias significativas con algunas poblaciones asiáticas, ni con un grupo de pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio. Parece que la genotipificación de rs11549465 en pacientes de cirugía cardiovascular no representó un método de estratificación de riesgo de anemia en este grupo.

Length of surgery and pressure ulcers risk in cardiovascular surgical patients: a dose–response meta‐analysis

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between length of surgery (LOS) and pressure ulcer (PU) risk in cardiovascular surgery patients. PubMed and Web of Science were systematically searched. We compared LOS difference between PU (+) group and PU (-) group. We also examined the dose-response effect of this relationship. The mean LOS in the PU(+) groups ranged from 252·5 to 335·7 minutes, compared with 233·0 to 298·3 minutes in PU(-) groups. The LOS was higher in PU(+) groups compared with PU(-) groups [weighted mean difference (WMD) = 36·081 minutes; 95% CI: 21·640-50·522 minutes; Z = 4·90, P = 0·000]. The funnel plot showed no publication bias. A significant dose-response association was also found between the LOS and the risk of surgery-related pressure ulcers (SRPU, model χ2 = 9·29, P = 0·000). In the linear model, the PU OR was 1·296 (95% CI 1·097-1·531) for a 60-minute increase in the LOS intervals and 13·344 (95% CI 2·521-70·636) for a 600-minute increase. In a spline model, the OR of PU increased almost linearly along with the LOS. Our meta-analysis indicated that LOS was an important risk factor for pressure ulcers in cardiovascular surgical patients.

Use of a Computer-Guided Glucose Management System to Improve Glycemic Control and Address National Quality Measures: A 7-Year, Retrospective Observational Study at A Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Inpatient hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and glucose variability are associated with increased mortality. The use of an electronic glucose management system (eGMS) to guide intravenous (IV) insulin infusion has been found to significantly improve blood glucose (BG) control. This retrospective observational study evaluated the 7-year (January 2009-December 2015) impact of the EndoTool® eGMS in intensive and intermediate units at Vidant Medical Center, a 900-bed tertiary teaching hospital. Patients assigned to eGMS had indications for IV insulin infusion, including uncontrolled diabetes, stress hyperglycemia, and/or postoperative BG levels >140 mg/dL. This study evaluated time required to achieve BG control (<180 mg/dL; <140 mg/dL for cardiovascular surgery patients); hypoglycemia incidence (<70 and <40 mg/dL); glucose variability (assessed by SD and coefficient of variation percentage [CV%]); excursions (BG levels >180 mg/dL after control attained); and the impact of eGMS on hospital-acquired condition (HAC)-8 rates. Data were available for all treated patients (492,078 BG readings from 16,850 patients). With eGMS, BG levels were brought to target within 1.5 to 2.3 hours (4.5 to 4.8 hours for cardiovascular patients). Minimal hypoglycemia was observed (BG values <70 mg/dL, 0.93%; <40 mg/dL, 0.03%), and analysis of variance of BG values <70 mg/dL showed significant reductions over time in hypoglycemia frequency, from 1.04% in 2009 to 0.46% in 2015 (P<.0001). The CV% per patient visit was 26.5 (±12.9)%, and 4% of patients experienced glucose excursions (defined as BG levels >180 mg/dL once control was attained). HAC-8 rates were reduced from 0.083 per 1,000 patients (2008) to 0.032 per 1,000 patients (2011). The use of eGMS resulted in rapid, effective control of inpatient BG levels, including significantly reduced hypoglycemia rates. BG = blood glucose CMS = Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services CV = coefficient of variation CV% = coefficient of variation percentage eGMS = electronic glucose management system GV = glycemic variability HAC = Hospital-Acquired Condition ICU = intensive care unit IU = intermediate unit IV = intravenous LOS = length of stay VMC = Vidant Medical Center.

膠原病に合併した心臓大血管病変に対する手術の検討

［背景］膠原病は全身の臓器に慢性的な炎症をきたす原因不明の自己免疫性疾患である．膠原病に関連する心血管病変に加えて，治療薬であるステロイドに起因する動脈硬化性の心血管病変に対してしばしば手術を必要とするが，併存する臓器障害，免疫抑制状態など，膠原病が手術に及ぼす影響は大きいと考えられる．［対象］膠原病患者における心大血管手術の成績を検討するため，2008年4月から2013年11月までに当院で行った成人心大血管手術のうち，膠原病を合併した31例と膠原病を合併していない539例を比較検討した．［結果］膠原病患者の平均年齢は64.4±16.7歳で，女性が26例（83.8%）と多く，ステロイド・免疫抑制剤は24例（77.4%）に投与されていた．膠原病群は間質性肺炎を6例（19.3%）に合併し，末梢血管疾患，頸動脈病変も非膠原病群より有意に多かった．手術死亡はなく，入院中の合併症に関しては，虚血イベント，感染症や急性腎障害，呼吸器合併症を含めいずれも非膠原病群と有意差はなかった．膠原病患者の平均27.8±16.0カ月の経過観察期間中，総死亡は4例，再入院は心血管イベントによるものが6例，創部の治癒不全が2例であった．生存症例はすべてNYHA class II以下に改善していた．［結語］膠原病を有する患者においても心大血管手術は安全に施行でき，初期・中期の良好なADLが期待できる．

Exploring Vascular Function Biomarkers: Implications for Rehabilitation.

The endothelium plays an important role in maintaining vascular homeostasis and regulating blood vessel function. Endothelial function is considered an independent predictor for risk of future cardiovascular events in cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular patients, as well as a predictor for postoperative complications in cardiovascular surgery patients. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation by high-resolution ultrasound is widely used to evaluate endothelium-dependent vasodilation, which is mainly mediated by nitric oxide release. Physical exercise exerts beneficial effects on endothelial function and can be used in both primary and secondary prevention of cardiac and peripheral artery diseases, even in the postoperative period of cardiovascular surgery.

集中治療室に入室した心臓血管外科患者の支えとなった体験

本研究は，循環器疾患患者に焦点をあて，集中治療室に入室した患者の支えとなった体験を明らかにすることを目的に，５名を対象にした半構成的インタビューにより質的記述的研究を行った．本研究は，医療者との関わりからリラックスや安心が得られた〈医療者の対応が支えとなる〉，〈身近な人，会社，家族が支えとなる〉，医療者の話声や，やり取りから，集中治療室の「和やか」で「穏やか」な雰囲気を感じ取り安心を得ていた〈集中治療室の環境が支えとなる〉，患者が自分の身に起きていること，自分なりの感覚や周囲の反応で回復を実感し〈自分自身で回復を感じることが支えとなる〉の４つのコアテーマと12のテーマが導かれた． 患者は，自身の体内で何が起きているのか，自分の体と照らし合わせて考えることで，回復しているという確信となり，患者自身の支えとなっていく．看護師には，患者が回復過程の中で起きる事を意味付けできるような支援が求められる．

Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons' Perception of the Concentration of Cardiovascular Operations in Seoul Metropolitan Area's Hospitals.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the concentration of cardiovascular surgical procedures in a metropolitan area and investigate the perception of specialists regarding governmental policies to resolve this imbalance.MethodsFrom March to May 2015, surveys were distributed to members of the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Association. The final pool of research subjects consisted of 75 respondents. Subjects were queried regarding the concentration of cardiovascular operations in metropolitan areas, alternatives to the imbalance, and governmental policies to resolve the inequalities.ResultsSurvey participants responded that South Korea needs governmental policies to alleviate the concentration of cardiovascular surgery patients in large metropolitan hospitals. Participants agreed that the freedom to choose medical institutions and improved accessibility to metropolitan hospitals due to advanced transportation systems were some of the causes for the concentration. A majority (98.7%) of respondents thought establishing thoracic and cardiovascular surgery centers in provinces was an appropriate solution to alleviate the concentration. Thoracic and cardiovascular surgery specialists were ranked as the number one group on which to focus development.ConclusionDeveloping and carrying out policies to establish thoracic and cardiovascular surgery centers in provinces will alleviate the regional imbalance in available heart surgery services and an overall improvement in cardiovascular disease treatment in South Korea.

Cardiac arrest does not affect survival in post-operative cardiovascular surgery patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

BackgroundVeno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is rapidly evolving as bailout option in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock after cardiovascular surgery (CV). Cardiac arrest represents a common and severe complication in the immediate post-operative phase. We therefore evaluated the impact of cardiac arrest at time of ECMO implantation on short- and long-term mortality in patients following CV surgery. Methods and ResultsWe included 385 patients undergoing veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy following CV surgery at a university-affiliated tertiary-care center into our single-center registry. Thirty patients underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) followed by immediate initiation of ECMO support. During a median follow-up time of 44 months (IQR 21–76 months), 68% of patients (n=262) died. We did not detect a significant impact of CPR during ECMO initiation on 30-day mortality (HR 1.04, 95%CI 0.89–1.83, P=0.86) as well as for long-term mortality (HR 1.01, 95%CI 0.63–1.61, P=0.97). Results were virtually unchanged for 30-day (HR 0.88, 95%CI 0.44–1.73, P=0.70) and long-term mortality (HR 0.93, 95%CI 0.54–1.60, P=0.79) after adjustment for age, sex, left ventricular ejection fraction, SAPS2 score, type of CV surgery, and year of study inclusion in order to unveil a potential negative confounding. ConclusionCardiac arrest did not affect short-tem and long-term mortality in a large cohort of patients with therapy refractory cardiogenic shock undergoing ECMO support following CV surgery. Our results suggest that the decision to initiate ECMO support in this specific patient population should not be influenced by the occurrence of cardiac arrest.

Use of McGrath MAC Videolaryngoscope to Assist Transesophageal Echocardiography Probe Insertion in Intubated Patients.

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probe insertion with the conventional blind insertion technique may be difficult in anesthetized and intubated patients. The use of a videolaryngoscope may facilitate the insertion of the TEE probe. The aim of this study was to compare the conventional technique with the use of the McGrath MAC videolaryngoscope for TEE probe insertion in terms of success rate, duration of insertion, and complications in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. A prospective, randomized study. Training and research hospital. Eighty-six adult patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery were included. Eighty-six adult patients were randomized into 2 groups: conventional group (n = 43) and McGrath videolaryngoscope group (n = 43). Success rates, duration of insertion, complications, and hemodynamic changes during insertion were recorded. The success rate of TEE probe insertion at the first attempt was higher in the McGrath videolaryngoscope group (90.5%) than in the conventional group (43.9%) (p = 0.012). The mean duration for successful insertion of the TEE probe at the first attempt was longer in the McGrath videolaryngoscope group (24 s v 11 s) (p = 0.016). The total time for successful insertion of the TEE probe was similar in both groups. Pharyngeal injuries were observed more frequently in the conventional group (17.1% v 2.4%) (p = 0.037). The rate of blood presence on the probe tip in the conventional group was higher than in the McGrath group (21.9% v 4.8%). There were no statistical differences between the 2 groups in systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate before and after TEE insertion. The use of the McGrath MAC videolaryngoscope for TEE insertion in cardiovascular surgery patients increases the success rate and reduces pharyngeal injuries compared to the conventional technique. The use of the McGrath MAC videolaryngoscope for TEE insertion causes similar hemodynamic changes as in the conventional blind insertion technique.

Postoperative blood pressure deficit and acute kidney injury progression in vasopressor-dependent cardiovascular surgery patients.

BackgroundIn vasopressor-dependent patients who had undergone cardiovascular surgery, we examined whether those with progression of acute kidney injury (AKI) had a greater difference (deficit) between premorbid and within-ICU hemodynamic pressure-related parameters compared to those without AKI progression.MethodsWe assessed consecutive adults who underwent cardiovascular surgery and who stayed in our ICU for at least 48 hours and received vasopressor support for more than 4 hours. We obtained premorbid and vasopressor-associated, time-weighted average values for hemodynamic pressure-related parameters (systolic [SAP], diastolic [DAP], and mean arterial pressure [MAP]; central venous pressure [CVP], mean perfusion pressure [MPP], and diastolic perfusion pressure [DPP]) and calculated deficits in those values. We defined AKI progression as an increase of at least one Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes stage.ResultsWe screened 159 patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria and identified 76 eligible patients. Thirty-six patients (47 %) had AKI progression. All achieved pressure-related values were similar between patients with or without AKI progression. However, deficits in DAP (P = 0.027), MPP (P = 0.023), and DPP (P = 0.002) were significantly greater in patients with AKI progression.ConclusionsPatients with AKI progression had greater DAP, MPP, and DPP deficits compared to patients without AKI progression. Such deficits might be modifiable risk factors for the prevention of AKI progression.

A new nomogram score for predicting surgery-related pressure ulcers in cardiovascular surgical patients.

The aim of this study was to build a new nomogram score for predicting surgery-related pressure ulcers (SRPU) in cardiovascular surgical patients. We performed a prospective cohort study among consecutive patients with cardiovascular surgery between January 2015 and December 2015. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse the risk factors for SRPU. A nomogram-predicting model was built based on the logistic regression model. Then, calibration and discrimination were tested. A total of 149 patients with cardiovascular surgery were included in the study. Thirty-seven patients developed SRPUs, with an incidence rate of 24·8% (95%CI: 18·1-32·6%). The logistic regression model for predicting SRPU with four risk factors was Logit(P) = (1·861 × VDH, OR 2·174 × CAD, OR 1·747 × TAA) - 0·029 × weight + 0·005 × surgery duration + 1·241 × perioperative corticosteroids administration (P = 0·003, R2 = 0·1181). The goodness-of-fit test (Pearson χ2 = 150·69, P = 0·217) indicated acceptable calibration, and the C-index (0·725) indicated moderate discrimination. When the probability cut-off is 0·25 (total score 12), the nomogram model has the best sensitivity and specificity in predicting SRPU. We established a new nomogram model that can provide an individual prediction of SRPU in cardiovascular surgical patients. When the probability is more than 0·25 (total score 12), the cardiovascular surgery patients should be considered at high-risk.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome following cardiovascular surgery

This review gives an update on current treatment options and novel concepts on the prevention and treatment of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in cardiovascular surgery patients. The only proven beneficial therapeutic options in ARDS are those that help to prevent further ventilator-induced lung injury, such as prone position, use of lung-protective ventilation strategies, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. In the future also new approaches like mesenchymal cell therapy, activation of hypoxia-elicited transcription factors or targeting of purinergic signaling may be successful outside the experimental setting. Owing to the so far limited treatment options, it is of great importance to determine patients at risk for developing ARDS already perioperatively. In this context, serum biomarkers and lung injury prediction scores could be useful. Preventing ARDS as a severe complication in the cardiovascular surgery setting may help to reduce morbidity and mortality. As cardiovascular surgery patients are of greater risk to develop ARDS, preventive interventions should be implemented early on. Especially, use of low tidal volumes, avoiding of fluid overload and restrictive blood transfusion regimes may help to prevent ARDS.

Perioperative management of cardiovascular surgery in patients with chronic kidney disease in Japanese facilities

Perioperative management of cardiovascular surgery in patients with chronic kidney disease in Japanese facilities

Bispectral Index Monitoring in Patients Undergoing Open Heart Surgery.

IntroductionTo obtain the optimal anesthesia depth is not easy in cardiovascular surgery patients where the haemodynamic reserve is limited, due to reasons such as not being able to give the desired dose of anesthetic agent, or the change in the pharmacokinetics of the agent in the heart-lung machine. This study was planned to assess the contribution of bispectral index (BIS) monitoring in the depth of anesthesia.MethodsThe patients were divided into 2 groups, and BIS monitoring was used for each patient. Group 1 (G1 n=35): keeping the BIS monitor screen open, the anesthesia need was set. Group 2 (G2 n=35): BIS monitor was tied to the patient and the monitor screen was closed in such a way that the anaesthesist couldn't see the BIS value. When the recording time came, the data on the monitor was recorded. The need for the anesthetic agent was set according to the parameters such as haemodynamics or follow up of pupils, instead of BIS value, by titrating the anesthetic infusion doses.ResultsBIS values were similar in both groups before the induction, BIS values in both groups showed a decrease, showing no significant statistical difference (P>0.05). One patient in each group said that he dreamt, and one patient in G2 said that he had heard a noise and felt that he was taken from one place to another.ConclusionThe management should be done with clinical evaluation, haemodynamics and other monitorization methods and BIS monitoring findings together.

Hyperuricemia and Atrial Fibrillation.

The importance of atrial fibrillation (AF) as a cause of mortality and morbidity has prompted research on its pathogenesis and treatment. Recognition of AF risk factors is essential to prevent it and reduce the risk of death. Hyperuricemia has been widely accepted to be associated with the incidence of paroxysmal or persistent AF, as well as to the risk of AF in post cardiovascular surgery patients. The possible explanations for this association have been based on their relation with either oxidative stress or inflammation. To investigate the link between hyperuricemia and AF, it is necessary to refer to hyperuricemia-induced atrial remodeling. So far, both ionic channel and structural remodeling caused by hyperuricemia might be plausible explanations for the occurrence of AF. Inhibition of xanthine oxidase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-oxidase, or the use of antioxidants, along with serum uric acid (SUA) level reduction to prevent inflammation, might be useful. Uric acid transporters (UATs) play a key role in the regulation of intracellular uric acid concentration. Intracellular rather than serum uric acid level is considered more important for the pathogenesis of AF. Identification of UATs expressed in cells is thus important, and targeting UATs might become a potential strategy to reduce the risk of hyperuricemia-induced atrial fibrillation.

Cardiovascular Surgery Patients: Intensive Care Experiences and Associated Factors

The purpose of this study was to determine the intensive care unit (ICU) experiences of cardiovascular surgery (CS) patients and to define the associations between their ICU experiences and related factors. The study used a descriptive design. In total, 106 CS patients were interviewed at least 24 hours after discharge from an ICU in an educational research hospital in Ankara, Turkey between January and July 2012. Data were collected using the Intensive Care Experience Scale (ICES), a sociodemographic and clinical characteristics data form and two open-ended questions inquiring about smells and light. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 15.0. The patients were moderately aware of their ICU environments, partly recalled their ICU experiences, highly recollected frightening experiences, and expressed good satisfaction with care. Age, education, marital status, and pain were associated with ICU experiences. Patients who sensed smell had higher scores of frightening experiences than those who did not. Patients who were annoyed with excessive light reported less satisfaction with care than those who were not. The results suggest that measuring the patients' characteristics and environmental factors may be beneficial for healthcare teams to improve the recovery of CS patients in the ICU.

80 歳以上の高齢者における心大血管手術後100 m 歩行自立阻害因子の検討

80 歳以上の高齢者における心大血管手術後100 m 歩行自立阻害因子の検討

Effects of Systemic Magnesium on Postoperative Analgesia: Is the Current Evidence Strong Enough?

Background: Clinical studies have been previously carried out on the efficacy of systemic magnesium to minimize postoperative pain, however, with controversial results. A quantitative meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of systemic magnesium on post-operative pain. Study Design: Comprehensive systematic review of all relevant, publsished randomized controlled trials. Methods: A search was conducted of published literature in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases from inception to September 2014. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared magnesium with placebo were identified. Effects were summarized using standardized mean differences (SMDs), weighed mean differences (WMD), or odds ratio (OR) with suitable effect model. Results: Twenty-seven RCTs involving 1,504 patients were included. In total, peri-operative magnesium significantly reduced the pain score at rest (SMD, -1.43, 95% CI, -2.74 to -0.12, &lt; 0.01). Magnesium significantly reduced analgesic consumption (SMD, -1.72, 95% CI, -3.21 to -0.23) in patients undergoing urogenital, orthopaedic, and cardiovascular surgeries, but was inconclusive for patients receiving gastrointestinal surgeries. The obvious analgesia of systemic magnesium was observed on reducing the pain score during movement at 24 hours after operation (SMD, -0.05, 95% CI, -0.43 to 0.32). Moreover, magnesium administration showed a beneficial effect with regard to intra-operative hemodynamics and reduced extubation time in the cardiovascular surgery patients (WMD, -29.34 min, 95% CI, -35.74 to -22.94, P &lt; 0.01). Limitations: Focused only on the quality of analgesia on postoperative pain with regards to surgery type. Conclusions: Our study suggests that systemic magnesium during general anesthesia significantly decreases post-operative pain scores without increasing adverse events. It should be noted that since there are 18 ongoing RCTs without published data, it is still premature to draw conclusions on the long-term analgesic effects of magnesium as well as potential gender or age difference. Key words: Magnesium, post-operative pain, meta-analysis

Gram-negative rod bacteremia after cardiovascular surgery: Clinical features and prognostic factors.

Our aim was to describe the clinical features and prognostic factors of Gram-negative rod bacteremia (GNRB) after cardiovascular surgery (CVS). This retrospective observational study included adults with GNRB onset within 100 days after CVS at a single institution from April 2004 to May 2013. Clinical data regarding episodes of GNRB were collected from patients' medical charts. Those having polymicrobial bacteremia with a bacterium other than a GNR were excluded. Among 2017 CVS patients, GNRB occurred in 78. Klebsiella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter, and Escherichia coli were the most commonly isolated organisms. Graft replacement was the most common surgical procedure in patients with GNRB after CVS (44.9%). Prophylaxis antibiotics were ampicillin/sulbactam (76.9%), and vancomycin (12.8%). The crude 90-day mortality rate was 21.8%, and the mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was 15.6 (range, 3-39). In 34.6% of patients, the same GNR species were isolated from other samples within 30 days of GNRB occurrence. Multivariate analysis indicated that P. aeruginosa bacteremia [odds ratio (OR), 175; confidence interval (CI), 2.40-1270; p=0.0182], Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores of ≥ 25 (OR 76.2; CI 1.04-5580; p=0.0479), and vancomycin for prophylaxis (OR 45.4; CI 1.02-202; p=0.0488) were significant independent prognostic factors associated with death due to GNRB after CVS. Graft replacement was the most common surgical procedure in patients with GNRB after CVS. Empirical antibiotics covering Gram-negative rods including P. aeruginosa should be considered if bacteremia is suspected in unstable patients after CVS.

Implementation of a diuretic stewardship program in a pediatric cardiovascular intensive care unit to reduce medication expenditures.

The implementation of a diuretic stewardship program in a pediatric cardiovascular intensive care unit (ICU) is described. This retrospective study compared the use of i.v. chlorothiazide and i.v. ethacrynic acid in pediatric cardiovascular surgery patients before and after implementation of a diuretic stewardship program. All pediatric patients admitted to the pediatric cardiovascular service were included. The cardiovascular surgery service was educated on formal indications for specific diuretic agents, and the diuretic stewardship program was implemented on January 1, 2013. Under the stewardship program, i.v. ethacrynic acid was indicated in patients with a sulfonamide allergy, and i.v. chlorothiazide was considered appropriate in patients receiving maximized i.v. loop diuretic doses. A detailed review of the pharmacy database and medical records was performed for each patient to determine i.v. chlorothiazide and i.v. ethacrynic acid use and expenditures, appropriateness of use, days using a ventilator, and cardiovascular ICU length of stay. After implementation of diuretic stewardship, the use of i.v. chlorothiazide decreased by 74% (531 fewer doses) while i.v. ethacrynic acid use decreased by 92% (47 fewer doses), resulting in a total reduction of $91,398 in expenditures on these diuretics over the six-month study period and an estimated annual saving of over $182,000. The median number of days using a ventilator and the length of ICU stay did not differ significantly during the study period. Implementation of a diuretic stewardship program reduced the use of i.v. chlorothiazide and i.v. ethacrynic acid without adversely affecting clinical outcomes such as ventilator days and length of stay in a pediatric cardiovascular ICU.