Open Heart Surgery In Children Research Articles

Screening for Life-Threatening Arrhythmia in Asymptomatic Patients After Paediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Centre Retrospective Analysis of 790 Pre-hospital-discharge 24-h Holter Electocardiogram Recordings.

Severe arrhythmias may occur early after open heart surgery. Because younger patients do not usually show any specific symptoms, presently Holter monitoring is routinely performed for 24h predischarge at our centre to prevent adverse outcomes. It is unknown whether this test is truly justified in this patient population. Retrospective single-centre analysis of all consecutive patients younger than 19years old after open heart surgery 2013-2019 who underwent routine Holter monitoring before hospital discharge. Patients with permanent pacemakers and patients who died during this hospital stay were excluded. The cohort was divided into two groups depending on whether severe arrhythmia occurred or not. The study includes 790 Holter recordings from 666 patients with a median age of 0.5years (IQR 0.23-3.08), performed at a median time of 8days (IQR 6-15) postoperatively. Postoperative arrhythmia was detected in 554 of 790 24-h Holter recordings (70%); in 47 of 790 (6%), this arrhythmia was classified as severe. The most common severe arrhythmias were premature ventricular contractions (n = 26/47) and long pauses (n = 14/47). A longer aortic cross-clamp time (mean 94.5 (SD ± 53.0) versus 68.1 (SD ± 51.9) min, p = 0.001) was associated with the occurrence of severe postoperative arrhythmia. Severe arrhythmias are rare in predischarge assessments after open heart surgery in children. In current postoperative monitoring at our centre, the diagnostic yield of ECG Holter monitoring for 24h is too low to justify routine screening in all paediatric patients after open heart surgery.

Ultrasound-Based Cardiac Output Monitoring During Pediatric Open-Heart Surgery in Children

Aim of the study. To evaluate the feasibility of using non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring technology based on Doppler ultrasound during open-heart surgery in children.Material and methods. Prospective, observational, single-center cohort study included 20 patients aged 10 to 34 months undergoing surgery for congenital heart defects. Ten patients underwent atrial septal defect closure (ASD group), other 10 patients had ventricular septal defect closure (VSD group). Cardiac output (CO) was measured in all patients to guide inotropic and infusion therapy adjustments at three control time points: (1) after intubation and before skin incision, (2) during the immediate post-bypass period with the chest open after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and (3) after sternal closure and before transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU).Results. At time point 1, the CO values for both the ASD and VSD groups were within the normal reference range: 5.2 L/min [4.7; 5.5] and 5.1 L/min [4.6; 5.6], respectively. At time point 2, CO was measured in 15 of 20 patients, including 8 patients in the ASD group and 7 in the VSD group. Coverage was 75% because of the challenges of measuring 5 patients on the operating table. In the immediate post-bypass period, two patients with VSD (25%) developed hypotension with CO reduced to 3.6 L/min, which is lower than the age-related hemodynamic reference value (5.1 L/min). Inotropic support in these two patients was increased by switching from dopamine, 7 mcg/kg/min, to adrenaline at a dose of 0.05 mcg/kg/min, resulting in improvement of hemodynamic parameters and an increase in CO to 5.2 L/min and 5.0 L/min, respectively, compared to normal agerelated reference values (4.1; 6.1 L/min). After sternal closure, CO values in both groups did not differ significantly from age-related reference values.Conclusion. The USCOM cardiac output monitoring device can be used to manage intraoperative hemodynamics and adjust inotropic therapy even during open chest surgery. However, its routine use in all stages of surgery with median sternotomy is difficult because it requires more time to align the aortic valve projection.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of low cardiac output syndrome after open heart surgery in children with congenital heart disease.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a predictor in determining low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) has not been widely reported. The aim of this study was to explore the role of pre-surgery, 0-, 4-, and 8-hour post-surgery NLR as predictors of LCOS incidence after open heart surgery in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). This study used a prognostic test with a prospective cohort design and was conducted from December 2020 until June 2021 at the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) of Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. The subject consisted of children aged one month to 18 years who underwent open heart surgery using a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) machine. A receiver operating characteristic curve was applied to identify the predictive performance of NLR for poor outcomes (LCOS incidence). Out of 90 patients included in the study, 25 (27.8%) of them developed LCOS between 3 to 53 hours post-surgery. All NLR values (pre-surgery and 0-, 4-, and 8-hours post-surgery) were associated with the incidence of LCOS. Pre-surgery NLR (cut-off value ≥0.88) had a fair predictive value (area under curve (AUC) 70; 95%CI: 57-83) for predicting LCOS incidence with sensitivity and specificity of 64% and 64.62%, respectively. NLR 0-hour post-surgery (cut-off value ≥4.73) had a good predictive value (AUC 81; 95%CI: 69-94) for predicting LCOS incidence, with 80% sensitivity and 80% specificity. NLR 4- and 8-hours post-surgery had very good predictive values (AUC 97%; 95%CI: 92-100 and 98; 95%CI: 94-100, respectively), with cut-off values ≥6.19 and ≥6.78, had the same 92% sensitivity and the same 96% sensitivity. The presence of LCOS was associated with mortality (odds ratio of 5.11 with 95%CI: 3.09-8.46). This study highlights that pre-surgery, 0-, 4-, and 8-hours post-surgery NLR can be predictors of LCOS after open heart surgery in children with CHD.

Potential of Autologous Progenitor Cells and Decellularized Porcine Artery Matrix in Construction of Tissue-engineered Vascular Grafts

ABSTRACT To develop a tissue-engineered vascular graft, we used pericardial effusion-derived progenitor cells (PEPCs) collected from drained fluid after open-heart surgery in children with congenital heart diseases to repopulate a decellularized porcine pulmonary artery. The PEPCs were compared with human fibroblasts (HS68) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in cell growth and migration. They were cultured with the matrices via an inner approach (intima), lateral approach (media), and outer approach (adventitia). PEPCs grew and migrated better than the other two cells 14 days after seeding in the decellularized vessel. In immunofluorescence assays, PEPCs expressed CD90 and CD105 indicating a vascular differentiation. PEPCs grew in a decellularized porcine pulmonary artery matrix may have the potential for producing tissue-engineered vascular grafts.

Open heart surgery in Nigerian children the need for international and regional collaboration: The Bayelsa and Enugu experience

Background: Children with congenital heart diseases (CHD) often require palliative or definitive surgical heart interventions to restore cardiopulmonary function. Lack of early cardiac intervention contributes to large numbers of potentially preventable deaths and sufferings among children with such conditions. Objectives: The aim of this study was to highlight our experience and the importance of international and regional collaboration for open heart surgery in children with CHD and capacity building of local cardiac teams in Bayelsa and Enugu States. Methodology: In November 2016, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by the managements of FMC, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, UNTH, Enugu and an Italian-based NGO- Pobic Open Heart International for collaboration in the area of free open heart surgery for children with CHDs and training of local cardiac teams from both institutions either in Nigeria or in Italy. Patients for the program were recruited from Bayelsa and Enugu States with referrals from all over the country with combined screening and selection done in UNTH. Selected patients were operated on and funded free of charge by the Italian NGO. Hands on training of the local cardiac teams and cardiac intervention was done twice yearly in Nigeria. Result: From inception of the program in November, 2016 to May, 2019 a total of 47 children (21 Males, 26 Females; age range 6 months to 14 years) with various types of congenital heart defects had free open heart surgery from the program with 41 surgeries done in UNTH & 6 in Italy (complex pathologies). Also, home cardiac teams from UNTH and FMC, Yenagoa gained from on-site capacity training & retraining from the Italian cardiac team both in Nigeria and in Italy. The Success rate was 95.7% (44) and Case Fatality rate was 4.3% (2). Conclusion: There is a great efficacy in early cardiac intervention. This is with respect to a high success rate and minimal Case Fatality seen in this study. This was achieved through Regional and international collaboration.

Complete Heart Block after open Heart Surgery in Children with Congenital Cardiac Diseases Feasibility of more waiting time before PPM administration

Introduction: Congenital cardiac disorders are the most prevalent congenital disorders which require interventional or surgical treatments. The most common causes of complete heart block (CHB) are degeneration of cardiac conduction system, acute myocardial infarction and congenital cardiac disorders. CHB after congenital heart surgery is of paramount importance which causes post-operation death and heart failure. Application of a pacemaker is a standard treatment for CHB. The purpose of this paper is to study the frequency of early postoperative CHB in patients with congenital cardiac diseases and also the need for temporary (TPM) and permanent (PPM) pacemakers. Materials and methods: This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted on children with congenital heart defects who had undergone open-heart surgery in Tabriz’s Shahid Madani Hospital from 2011 to 2016. Patients with early postoperative CHB were included in the study. Those who had improved on their own and those who needed TPM and PPM were identified and at the end, the frequency of CHB and the need for TPM and PPM were assessed. Results: Of the 2100 operated patients, 109 patients developed early postoperative heart block. The frequency of early CHB after open heart surgery was 5.19%. Of the 109 patients, 69 patients (63.3%) with early postoperative CHB needed TPM, 9 patients needed PPM and 22 patients improved without pacemaker. Conclusion: The prevalence of early CHB in patients operated for congenital cardiac diseases was 5.19%. The need for TPM was high and most of the patients had improved cardiac rhythm with no need for PPM or TPM.

Getting to the Heart of the Matter: Epidemiology of Surgical Site Infections Following Open Heart Surgery in Children

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) following open heart surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) among pediatric patients are healthcare-associated infections associated with significant morbidity and mortality. At a pediatric acute-care facility, an increase in SSI incidence prompted an epidemiologic review. We describe the incidence of cardiac SSIs at our hospital; we identified risk factors and areas of practice variation to inform improvement initiatives. Methods: SSI cases following CPB at our hospital have been identified through routine surveillance using NHSN definitions since January 2016. An increase in cases was noted in mid-2018, prompting a common cause analysis with stakeholders across the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care continuum. Areas of practice variability were identified, and an epidemiologic review was performed to determine risk factors among cases compared to noncases between January 2016 and August 2018. The rate of SSIs and 95% confidence intervals were estimated, and univariate logistic regressions were fitted to estimate unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) for the association between each of the predetermined preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors and developing an SSI. Results: Overall, 139 patients underwent surgery involving CPB between January 1, 2016, and August 31, 2018. Preoperative bathing was infrequently documented (9% among cases vs 5% among noncases; P = .56). Operating room observations identified frequent door openings and equipment crowding. Moreover, 11 patients (7.9%) developed a cardiac SSI, with 6 (14.3%) occurring in the first 8 months of 2018 (P = .067). There were no predominant pathogens; 3 of 11 cases were associated with methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus. Also, 9 cases were classified as deep incisional or organ-space SSI. Each hour increase in total CPB duration was associated with a 63% increase in odds of developing an SSI (OR, 1.626; 95% CI, 1.041–2.539). Each additional day of intubation (OR, 2.400; 95% CI, 1.203–4.788) and peritoneal dialysis (OR, 1.767; 95% CI, 1.070–2.919) during the first 3 days postoperatively were also associated with increased SSI risk. Postoperative documentation of wound assessment occurred in 60% of patients, with no difference between cases and noncases (55% vs 67%; P = .42). Conclusions: Using a mixed-methods approach, preoperative bathing, increased operating room traffic, and postoperative care around wounds and invasive devices were identified as areas of improvement toward safer surgical care. Although no unique organism or process explained the increased rate, determining risk factors and areas of practice variability through stakeholder engagement provided insight into opportunities to prevent SSIs.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

Progenitor Cells Derived from Drain Waste Product of Open-Heart Surgery in Children.

Human cardiac progenitor cells isolated from the same host may have advantages over other sources of stem cells. The aim of this study is to establish a new source of human progenitor cells collected from a waste product, pericardiac effusion fluid, after open-heart surgery in children with congenital heart diseases. The fluid was collected every 24 h for 2 days after surgery in 37 children. Mononuclear cells were isolated and expanded in vitro. These pericardial effusion-derived progenitor cells (PEPCs) exhibiting cardiogenic lineage markers, were highly proliferative and enhanced angiogenesis in vitro. Three weeks after stem cell transplantation into the ischemic heart in mice, cardiac ejection fraction was improved significantly without detectable progenitor cells. Gene expression profiles of the repaired hearts revealed activation of several known repair mechanisms including paracrine effects, cell migration, and angiogenesis. These progenitor cells may have the potential for heart regeneration.

Performance of Fluid Balance as A Marker of Acute Kidney Injury in Children after Open Heart Surgery

Abstract Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication in the perioperative period and is consistently associated with increased morbidity and case fatality rate. This has been best studied in the cardiac surgery setting where it has been shown that up to 11.5–86.0% of patients exposed to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) will develop AKI, with 2.0–18.9% requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). A prospective uncontrolled cohort study was conducted between 2011 and 2015, in which 93 children with various congenital heart lesions undergoing CPB were enrolled. Serum creatinine (SCr) level was determined by Jaffé’s method (Cobas 6000 analyser, Roche). Postoperative fluid balance was estimated as the difference between fluid intake and output. Data for further processing were retrieved from anaesthesia and intensive care data management system flowsheets (IntelliView, Philips). AKI developed in 42 patients (45.6%) by meeting at least KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) stage I criteria (with SCr rise by more than 50% from the baseline). Thirty eight patients complied with the 1st stage of AKI, three with 2nd stage and two with 3rd stage, according the KDIGO classification and staging system. One patient having severity stage II and two patients having severity stage III of AKI required initiation of RRT using peritoneal dialysis. Two patients from the RRT group survived, one died. The median intraoperative urine output was 2.32 ml/kg/h, (range from 0.42–5.87 ml/kg/h). Median CPB time was 163 min., median aortic cross-clamping time was 97.9 min., cooling during CPB to 29.5 °C. The diagnosis of AKI using SCr was delayed by 48 hours after CPB. Median fluid balance (FB) on the first postoperative day in non-AKI patients was 13.58 ml/kg (IQR 0–37.02) vs 49.38 ml/kg (IQR 13.20–69.32) in AKI patients, p < 0.001. AKI is a frequent complication after open heart surgery in children with congenital heart lesions. From 93 patients included in the study, 42 (45.2%) met at least KDIGO Stage I criteria for AKI. FB is a sensitive marker of kidney dysfunction. Median FB in the 1st postoperative day significantly differed between AKI patients: 49.38 ml/kg (13.20–69.32) versus 13.58 ml/kg in patients with intact kidney function (AUC = 0.84; p = 0.001). Thus it can be used as a marker of AKI.

Risk factors for delayed sternal closure after open-heart surgery in children under one year of age

After congenital heart surgery, delayed sternal closure (DSC) can be used electively to aid in hemodynamic and respiratory stability in the initial postoperative period. Risk factors for DSC have been previously determined for neonates. The purpose of our study was to determine risk factors that may predict the need for DSC in children < 1 year. We retrospectively reviewed records of children < 1 year who underwent open-heart surgery in our institution over a period of 5 years. The criteria for DSC were hemodynamic instability, deterioration of the central venous saturation, metabolic status and/or high ventilatory pressures. In total, 283 patients underwent open-heart surgery during the period and 89 (31.4%) had DSC. Mean age was 3.8 months (± 3.3) and mean weight was 4.8 kg (± 1.8). The major congenital heart diseases encountered were ventricular septal defect ( n = 80), tetralogy of Fallot ( n = 41) and transposition of the great arteries ( n = 38). Ten patients (3.5%) needed sternal reopening during the first postoperative 24 h. Thirteen patients (4.6%) died after the surgery. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time was significantly longer in children who had DSC (189 min ± 68 versus 130 min ± 44, P < 0.001). Among the studied factors, use of hypothermia, preoperative use of prostaglandin, preexistent renal insufficiency, pulmonary hypertension and cyanosis were significantly associated with DSC ( r = 0.406, P < 0.001; r = 0.335, P < 0.001; r = 0.250, P < 0.001; r = 0.164, P = 0.006; respectively). Multivariate analysis determined an age < 7 days, long CPB time, preoperative mechanical ventilation and renal insufficiency as independent risk factors for DSC. The best cut-off value was 147 min (se = 75%, sp = 70%, AUC = 0.79) for CPB time. Small age at surgery, long CPB time and altered preoperative condition are highly at risk for DSC in children < 1 year. Further studies are needed to develop a predictive model for the anticipation of sternal closure in this population.

The implications of Milrinone Lactate in the Postoperative Clinical Management of Surgical Interventions for Congenital Heart Malformations in Children

The purpose of the study was to prove to efficacy of Milrinone in the management of open heart surgery in children with congenital heart malformations, the link between Milrinone efficacy and the prevention of low cardiac output syndrome and Milrinone side effects. We conducted a retrospective study on a group of 24 patients, admitted to the Tg Mures Emergency Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases and Transplant, between August 2016 and February 2017. Milrinone was administered to children that underwent open heart surgery for different congenital heart malformations, using doses between 0.25 and 0.75 mcg per kg bodyweight, in continuous intravenous drip, before de-clamping of the Aorta, the procedures being conducted in extracorporeal circulation. We recorded demographic data, biological parameters of renal function, myocardial function and hemodynamic parameters, before and after surgery. The administration of Milrinone determined a reduction of incidence of low cardiac output syndrome, registering only 4 deaths, the survival rate being 83.33%, 13 cases presenting complications. Postoperatively we registered a significant improvement of the mean heart rate. Milrinone proved efficient in the re-establishment of hemodynamic parameters in patients with this type of clinical manifestations. Using Milrinone in children that undergo open heart surgery determines a decrease in incidence of low cardiac output syndrome, its� presence in the pharma market being necessary.

Hemolysis During Open-Heart Surgery With Vacuum-Assisted Venous Drainage at Different Negative Pressures in Pediatric Patients Weighing Less Than 10 kilograms.

This study examined the degree of hemolysis during vacuum-assisted venous drainage at different negative pressures to identify an adequate negative pressure that provides effective venous drainage without significant hemolysis in open-heart surgery in children weighing less than 10 kg. Patients weighing less than 10 kg who underwent surgery for ventricular septal defect or atrial septal defect from 2011 to 2014 were enrolled. We used one of four negative pressures (20, 30, 40, or 60 mm Hg) for each patient. We measured haptoglobin, plasma hemoglobin, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase levels in the patients' blood three times perioperatively and determined the potential correlation between the change in each parameter with the level of negative pressure. Forty-six patients were enrolled in this study (mean age: 7.1 ± 7.0 months, mean body weight: 6.1 ± 1.8 kg). There were no significant differences according to the degree of negative pressure with respect to patient age, body weight, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, aorta cross-clamping time, blood flow during CPB, or lowest body temperature. All parameters that we measured reflected progression of hemolysis during CPB; however, the degree of change in the parameters did not correlate with negative pressure. In pediatric patients weighing less than 10 kg, the change in the degree of hemolysis did not differ with the amount of negative pressure. We may apply negative pressures up to 60 mm Hg without increasing the risk of hemolysis, with almost same the level of hemolysis using negative pressures of 20, 30, and 40 mm Hg for effective venous drainage and an ideal operative field during open-heart surgery.

Retrospective analysis of eliminating modified ultrafiltration after pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass.

Modified ultrafiltration (MUF) is a technique which is commonly used immediately post-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for open heart surgery in children. There are many advantages of MUF, but there are also a number of less reported disadvantages. At our institution, after considering all of the available data, a decision was made to no longer perform MUF. The primary motivation being the simplified and miniaturized CPB circuit would reduce hemodilution, decrease our likelihood of reaching our transfusion trigger during CPB and, potentially, improve safety. This study reports the before and after data from this practice change. A total of 160 patients less than 8kg were studied over 38 months and divided into neonatal and pediatric cohorts. Parameters reported in this study include: demographics, hematocrit, blood product transfusion, hemostasis, hemodynamics and outcomes. Although retrospective, our analysis supports an advantage of preventing hemodilution (via circuit miniaturization) versus reversing hemodilution (via MUF) at our institution with the patient population we examined.

Myocardial Protective Effect of Exogenous Creatine Phosphate in Children Undergoing Open Heart Surgery

Objective: To explore the protective role of exogenous Creatine Phosphate (PCr) in the postoperative cardiac muscle recovery in children undergoing open heart surgery. Material and methods: 63 cases of congenital heart disease were randomly divided into 3 groups; A, B and C; 21 cases in each group. Myocardial perfusion fluids were made of the same amount of blood in the St, Thomas Hospital cardioplegic solution type 2 (STH 2). In B and C group, intraoperative myocardial perfusion solution added with exogenous CP. All the groups were postoperatively treated with general fluid therapy, while group C was given postoperative intravenous exogenous CP. Trends of myocardial enzyme at different time points were monitored. Results: At the end of surgery (T2), enzyme levels in the plasma were significantly increased, no difference between the groups B and C but were significantly lower than that in group A (P<0.05); after surgery myocardial enzyme levels recovered fastest in Group C, slowest in A group, the differences between each group were significant (P<0.05). Conclusions: Perioperative and postoperative exogenous PCr have myocardial protective effect and accelerate the repair of injured myocardium due to ischemia during open heart surgery in children.

Thyroid hormone supplementation following open-heart surgery in children

In patients undergoing open-heart surgery, abnormalities in thyroid hormone levels have been observed even in the absence of primary thyroid disease. These abnormal changes in thyroid hormone level and function have been found to be sufficient to affect myocardial performance and postoperative recovery. In the intensive care unit, postoperatively, it has been found that features such as low cardiac output, left ventricular dysfunction and prolonged ventilator support were associated with hypothyroidism. We reviewed the available literature on the effect of thyroid hormone supplementation in paediatric patients undergoing open-heart surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass and concluded that children after complex congenital cardiac surgery are at risk of developing a clinically significant hypothyroid state in the early postoperative period. In the literature where the effects of supplementation of thyroxine were studied, beneficial effects were observed in terms of reduced mechanical ventilation time, reduced inotropic support and intensive care unit stay, rapid achievement of negative fluid balance and early recovery. Supplementation with thyroid hormones enables a smoother postoperative recovery and is beneficial. The total duration of this therapy is, however, unclear.

The Effect of ringer Lactate as the Priming Solution of the Cardiopulmonary by Pass Circuit on Plasma Potassium Levels after Open Heart Surgery in Children

Background: Conduct of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) due to the higher volume of priming solution in comparison to the total blood volume in children requires careful consideration. Recently attention has been focused on the potential risk of hyperkalemia in these patients. Given its significant effects on cardiac rhythm, hyperkalemia is considered a medical emergency. In this cross-sectional study we aimed to determine the changes in K+ and other electrolytes following CPB in a pediatric cardiac surgery setting. Method: Sixty children scheduled for pediatric cardiac surgery weighing more than 5 kilograms with Hct level above 30% were enrolled. The prime solution used was Ringer-lactate. Venous blood were collected at defined time points: before, during and after CPB and at discharge. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean age of the studied patients was 3.69±2.77 years. A rise in potassium levels during surgery was recorded. Also a significant difference in the potassium levels before surgery and at discharge were observed (p=0.007). A significant drop and a subsequent rise in the Hct level was seen overtime whereas a significant decrease in the PH and bicarbonate levels were detected. 31 experienced cardiac arrhythmia after undergoing CPB. Conclusion: A K+-free crystalloid that will offset the K+ load of stored blood is highly anticipated in these patients

Normothermic versus hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass in children undergoing open heart surgery (thermic-2): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundDuring open heart surgery, patients are connected to a heart-lung bypass machine that pumps blood around the body (“perfusion”) while the heart is stopped. Typically the blood is cooled during this procedure (“hypothermia”) and warmed to normal body temperature once the operation has been completed. The main rationale for “whole body cooling” is to protect organs such as the brain, kidneys, lungs, and heart from injury during bypass by reducing the body’s metabolic rate and decreasing oxygen consumption. However, hypothermic perfusion also has disadvantages that can contribute toward an extended postoperative hospital stay. Research in adults and small randomized controlled trials in children suggest some benefits to keeping the blood at normal body temperature throughout surgery (“normothermia”). However, the two techniques have not been extensively compared in children.ObjectiveThe Thermic-2 study will test the hypothesis that the whole body inflammatory response to the nonphysiological bypass and its detrimental effects on different organ functions may be attenuated by maintaining the body at 35°C-37°C (normothermic) rather than 28°C (hypothermic) during pediatric complex open heart surgery.MethodsThis is a single-center, randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness and acceptability of normothermic versus hypothermic bypass in 141 children with congenital heart disease undergoing open heart surgery. Children having scheduled surgery to repair a heart defect not requiring deep hypothermic circulatory arrest represent the target study population. The co-primary clinical outcomes are duration of inotropic support, intubation time, and postoperative hospital stay. Secondary outcomes are in-hospital mortality and morbidity, blood loss and transfusion requirements, pre- and post-operative echocardiographic findings, routine blood gas and blood test results, renal function, cerebral function, regional oxygen saturation of blood in the cerebral cortex, assessment of genomic expression changes in cardiac tissue biopsies, and neuropsychological development.ResultsA total of 141 patients have been successfully randomized over 2 years and 10 months and are now being followed-up for 1 year. Results will be published in 2015.ConclusionsWe believe this to be the first large pragmatic study comparing clinical outcomes during normothermic versus hypothermic bypass in complex open heart surgery in children. It is expected that this work will provide important information to improve strategies of cardiopulmonary bypass perfusion and therefore decrease the inevitable organ damage that occurs during nonphysiological body perfusion.Trial RegistrationISRCTN Registry: ISRCTN93129502, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN93129502 (Archived by WebCitation at http://www.webcitation.org/6Yf5VSyyG).

On-table Extubation after Open Heart Surgery in Children: An Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital in a Developing Country

Recent advances in various disciplines of medicine have significantly changed the courses following cardiac surgery in children. On-table extubation (OTE) after open heart surgery in children is evolving. To assess the rate of postoperative complications in children extubated on table after open heart surgery. This is a retrospective, descriptive study. Operating room (OR) then admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). All pediatric patients (between 0 and 18 years) undergoing open heart surgery between January 2011 and June 2013. On-table extubation. Rates of immediate postoperative complications, i.e., re-intubation, significant bleeding, low cardiac output syndrome, and arrhythmia in PICU, were assessed. Data are presented as frequencies and mean ± standard deviation. A total of 82 patients were included. Mean age at time of operation was 7.25 ± 6.6 years. Fifty-three percent (n = 44) were <5 years old and 64% (n = 53) were men. Ventricular septal defect (47%, n = 39) was the most common lesion, followed by atrial septal defect (36%, n = 30), and tetralogy of Fallot (15%, n = 12), which were repaired. Cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross clamp time were 72.3 ± 34.2 and 47.3 ± 27.8 minutes, respectively. The mean inotrope score was 2.66 ± 3.53. There was no mortality in the cohort, whereas 97.8% (n = 80) had no complications during PICU stay. One patient (1.1%) required re-intubation for respiratory failure and one patient (1.1%) had arrhythmia that was medically managed. The mean length of PICU stay was 1.77 ± 0.985 days. On-table extubation in children after open heart surgery was feasible and safe in selected group of patients. There was no major complication observed in the PICU.

Early postoperative arrhythmias after pediatric cardiac surgery.

This prospective study proposed to determine the incidence, risk factors, and management protocols for early postoperative arrhythmias after pediatric cardiac surgery, with focus on outcomes, using a uniform protocol, and also to see if children operated on at a later age have different issues from those operated on earlier. Of 224 consecutive pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery from September 2013 to July 2014, 24 were excluded because their procedures were performed without cardiopulmonary bypass. The median age was 24 months (mean 50.1 ± 62.4 months, range 0.5-216 months). Fifteen (7.5%) patients developed arrhythmia, the most common was junctional ectopic tachycardia (n = 7, 46.6%) followed by supraventricular tachycardia (n = 5, 33.3%). All junctional ectopic tachycardias occurred within 24 h of intensive care unit admission. Of the 7 patients with junctional ectopic tachycardia, 5 responded to conventional measures and 2 required amiodarone infusion. There was a significant longer cardiopulmonary bypass time in patients with arrhythmias compared to those without arrhythmias. We observed a very low incidence of arrhythmias, particularly junctional ectopic tachycardia, after open heart surgery in children. Other than a longer cardiopulmonary bypass time, no specific predictors were identified. It appears that the cause of arrhythmias following pediatric cardiac surgery is multifactorial and needs further study with a greater number of patients.

The safety and efficacy of antifibrinolytic therapy in neonatal cardiac surgery.

BackgroundNeonates undergoing open-heart surgery are particularly at risk of postoperative bleeding requiring blood transfusion. Aprotinin has attained high efficacy in reducing the requirement for a blood transfusion following a cardiopulmonary bypass, but is seldom studied in the neonatal age group. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and adverse effects of aprotinin and tranexamic acid in neonates undergoing open-heart surgery at a single centre.MethodsBetween October 2003 and March 2008, perioperative data of 552 consecutive neonatal patients undergoing open-heart surgery in Children’s Hospital Boston were reviewed. Among them, 177 did not receive antifibrinolytic therapy (Group A); 100 were treated with tranexamic acid only (Group B); and 275 patients received aprotinin with or without tranexamic acid (Group C). Except for antifibrinolytic therapy, the anaesthesiological and surgical protocols remained identical. Postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality were the primary study endpoints.ResultsBody weight and Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery (RACHS-1) scores were statistically comparable among the three groups. No statistically significant differences were observed between the duration of hospitalization, chest tube drainage, reexploration for bleeding, and kidney function impairment. In Group C, less blood was transfused within 24 hours than in GroupB. Operative mortality was similar among the three groups.ConclusionNo further risk and kidney injury were observed in the use of aprotinin in neonatal cardiac surgery, aprotinin demonstrated a reduced requirement for blood transfusion compared with tranexamic acid. Our data provide reasonable evidence that aprotinin and tranexamic acid are safe and efficacious as antifibrinolytic modalities in neonatal patients undergoing cardiac surgery.