High postoperative serum levels of surfactant type B as novel prognostic markers for congenital heart surgery / Níveis séricos pós-operatórios tipo surfactante B elevados como novos marcadores prognósticos para cirurgia cardíaca congênita

Objective: Congenital heart diseases are observed in 5 to 8 of every 1000 live births. The presence of a valuable biomarker during the surgical periods may aid the clinician in a more accurate prognosis during treatment. Methods: For this reason, surfactant protein B plasma levels may help to evaluate patients with cardiac problems diminishing the alveolocapillary membrane stability. In this study, plasma levels of this biomarker were measured in the preoperative and postoperative periods. This study was conducted to detect the differences between pulmonary hypertensive and normotensive patients. The differences before and after cardiopulmonary bypass were examined. Results: The differences in cardiopulmonary bypass time, cross-clamp time , inotropic support dose, and duration of intensive care of patients with and without pulmonary hypertensive were found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). The results revealed that this pathophysiological state was related to other variables that were studied. We believe that the differences in preoperative and postoperative SPB levels could be attributed to alveolocapillary membrane damage and alveolar surfactant dysfunction. We found that this pathophysiological condition was significantly associated with postoperative parameters. Conclusion: The findings of the current study showed that surfactant protein B was present in the blood of patients with a congenital heart disease during the preoperative period. Long by-pass times may exert damage to the alveolocapillary membrane in patients with pulmonary hypertension and preoperative heart failure, and it is recommended to keep the option of surfactant therapy in mind during the postoperative course at the intensive care unit before preparing the patients for extubation. .

Objetivo: As cardiopatias congênitas são observadas em 5 a 8 em cada 1.000 nascidos vivos. A presença de um biomarcador importante durante os períodos cirúrgicos pode auxiliar o clínico a um prognóstico mais preciso durante o tratamento. Métodos: Por esta razão, os níveis plasmáticos de proteína B do surfactante podem ajudar a avaliar os pacientes com problemas cardíacos, diminuindo a estabilidade da membrana alvéolo-capilar. Neste estudo, os níveis plasmáticos deste biomarcador foram medidos nos períodos pré-operatório e pós-operatório. Este estudo foi realizado para detectar as diferenças entre pacientes hipertensos e normotensos em nível pulmonar. As diferenças antes e depois da circulação extracorpórea foram examinadas. Resultados: As diferenças no tempo de circulação extracorpórea, tempo de pinçamento, a dose de drogas vasoativas, e a duração da terapia intensiva de pacientes com e sem hipertensão pulmonar foram estatisticamente significativas (P<0,05). Os resultados revelaram que este estado fisiopatológico foi relacionado a outras variáveis que foram estudadas. Acreditamos que as diferenças nos níveis de SPB pré-operatório e pós-operatório pode ser atribuída a danos na membrana alvéolo-capilar e disfunção do surfactante alveolar. Descobrimos que esta condição fisiopatológica foi significativamente associada com parâmetros pós-operatórios. Conclusão: Os resultados do estudo mostraram que a proteína B surfactante estava presente no sangue de pacientes com doença cardíaca congênita no pré-operatório. Longos tempos de circulação extracorpórea podem exercer danos na membrana alvéolo-capilar em pacientes com ...

Plasmatic ADAMTS-13 metalloprotease and von Willebrand factor in children with cyanotic congenital heart disease

Changes in plasma von Willebrand factor concentration (VWF:Ag) and ADAMTS-13 activity (the metalloprotease that cleaves VWF physiologically) have been reported in several cardiovascular disorders with prognostic implications. We therefore determined the level of these proteins in the plasma of children with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) undergoing surgical treatment. Forty-eight children were enrolled (age 0.83 to 7.58 years). Measurements were performed at baseline and 48 h after surgery. ELISA, collagen-binding assays and Western blotting were used to estimate antigenic and biological activities, and proteolysis of VWF multimers. Preoperatively, VWF:Ag and ADAMTS-13 activity were decreased (65 and 71% of normal levels considered as 113 (105-129) U/dL and 91 ± 24% respectively, P < 0.003) and correlated (r = 0.39, P = 0.0064). High molecular weight VWF multimers were not related, suggesting an interaction of VWF with cell membranes, followed by proteolytic cleavage. A low preoperative ADAMTS-13 activity, a longer activated partial thromboplastin time and the need for cardiopulmonary bypass correlated with postoperative bleeding (P < 0.05). Postoperatively, ADAMTS-13 activity increased but less extensively than VWF:Ag (respectively, 2.23 and 2.83 times baseline, P < 0.0001), resulting in an increased VWF:Ag/ADAMTS-13 activity ratio (1.20 to 1.54, respectively, pre- and postoperative median values, P = 0.0029). ADAMTS-13 consumption was further confirmed by decreased ADAMTS-13 antigenic concentration (0.91 ± 0.30 to 0.70 ± 0.25 µg/mL, P < 0.0001) and persistent proteolysis of VWF multimers. We conclude that, in pediatric CCHD, changes in circulating ADAMTS-13 suggest enzyme consumption, associated with abnormal structure and function of VWF.

Decreased plasma ADAMTS-13 activity as a predictor of postoperative bleeding in cyanotic congenital heart disease

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the preoperative plasma antigenic concentration and activity of von Willebrand factor and its main cleaving protease ADAMTS-13 in pediatric patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease undergoing surgical treatment and investigate possible correlations with postoperative bleeding. METHODS: Plasma antigenic concentrations (von Willebrand factor:Ag and ADAMTS-13:Ag) were measured using enzyme-linked immunoassays. Collagen-binding assays were developed to measure biological activities (von Willebrand factor:collagen binding and ADAMTS-13 activity). The multimeric structure of von Willebrand factor was analyzed using Western immunoblotting. Demographic, diagnostic, and general and specific laboratory data and surgery-related variables were subjected to univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis for the prediction of postoperative bleeding. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were enrolled, with ages ranging from 9 months to 7.6 years (median 2.5 years). The plasma concentrations of von Willebrand factor:Ag and ADAMTS-13:Ag were decreased by 65 and 82%, respectively, in the patients compared with the controls (p<0.001). An increased density of low-molecular-weight fractions of von Willebrand factor, which are suggestive of proteolytic degradation (p = 0.0081), was associated with decreased ADAMTS-13 activity, which was likely due to ADAMTS-13 consumption (71% of controls, p = 0.0029) and decreased von Willebrand factor:collagen binding (76% of controls, p = 0.0004). Significant postoperative bleeding occurred in 13 patients. The preoperative ADAMTS-13 activity of <64.6% (mean level for the group), preoperative activated partial thromboplastin time, and the need for cardiopulmonary bypass were characterized as independent risk factors for postoperative bleeding, with respective hazard ratios of 22.35 (95% CI 1.69 to 294.79), 1.096 (95% CI 1.016 to 1.183), and 37.43 (95% ...

Plasma von Willebrand factor as a predictor of survival in pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease

Biomarkers have been identified for pulmonary arterial hypertension, but are less well defined for specific etiologies such as congenital heart disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CHDPAH). We measured plasma levels of eight microvascular dysfunction markers in CHDPAH, and tested for associations with survival. A cohort of 46 inoperable CHDPAH patients (age 15.0 to 60.2 years, median 33.5 years, female:male 29:17) was prospectively followed for 0.7 to 4.0 years (median 3.6 years). Plasma levels of von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF:Ag), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and its inhibitor (PAI-1), P-selectin, reactive C-protein, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-6 and -10 were measured at baseline, and at 30, 90, and 180 days in all subjects. Levels of six of the eight proteins were significantly increased in patients versus controls (13 to 106 percent increase, P < 0.003). Interleukin-10 level was 2.06 times normal (P = 0.0003; Th2 cytokine response). Increased levels of four proteins (t-PA, PAI-1, P-selectin, and interleukin-6) correlated with disease severity indices (P < 0.05). Seven patients died during follow-up. An average VWF:Ag (mean of four determinations) above the level corresponding to the 95th percentile of controls (139 U/dL) was independently associated with a high risk of death (hazard ratio = 6.56, 95 percentCI = 1.46 to 29.4, P = 0.014). Thus, in CHDPAH, microvascular dysfunction appears to involve Th2 inflammatory response. Of the biomarkers studied, plasma vWF:Ag was independently associated with survival.

Clinical and biochemical parameters in relation to serum leptin levels in south indian children and adolescents.

Objective. To investigate the relationship between serum leptin and lipid profile in South Indian School children and adolescents, and to evaluate the role of serum leptin in obese, overweight and congenital heart diseased children and adolescents; in South Indian population and its correlation with anthropometric and biochemical parameters. Methods. The study included 185 school going children and adolescents. (52 obese, 49 overweight, 25 congenital heart disease children and adolescents, were compared with 59 normal controls, aged between 10-17 years). Anthropometric variables, lipid profile, fasting serum glucose were analyzed by autoanalyser and serum leptin by ELISA. Results. Serum leptin levels were significantly elevated in obese and overweight children than in control children (36.88±18.60ng/mL, 20.64±11.18ng/mL vs 7.97±2.79ng/mL; p value <0.001), and decreased in congenital heart diseased children than in control children (6.20±4.23 ng/mL vs 7.97±2.79ng/mL; p value <0.005). Conclusions. This study provides a good relationship between serum leptin levels and anthropometric and biochemical parameters, such as total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol. We observed negative correlation between serum leptin and fasting glucose levels and HDL-cholesterol levels were found to be non-significant among the groups. Further studies with large sample size are needed to ascertain the relationship between serum leptin and lipid profile in different groups of children and adolescents.

Extubação precoce na sala de operação após cirurgia cardíaca infantil / Early extubation at operation room in children after cardiac heart surgery

INTRODUÇÃO: A extubação precoce está relacionada à diminuição do tempo de internação e de complicações. OBJETIVO: Análise das características clínicas e evolução imediata dos pacientes extubados em sala após cirurgia cardíaca infantil com CEC. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva dos dados. RESULTADOS: Entre março de 2006 e janeiro de 2008, 15 pacientes, com idade de 4 a 216 meses (média 76,1 meses) foram extubados em sala. A duração da CEC variou de 30 a 95 minutos (média 51,4 min) e anóxia de 14 a 67 minutos (média 35,2 min). Um paciente apresentou acidose respiratória. CONCLUSÃO: Extubação precoce é factível em casos selecionados.

INTRODUCTION: Early extubation is related to short lenth of hospitalization and less complications. OBJECTIVE: Data analisys from children extubated atsurgical room after cardiac surgery with ECC. METHODS: Retrospective data analisys. Results: From March 2006 to January 2008, 15 children submitted to heart surgery were extubated at surgery room. Age in months was 4 to 216 (76.1 months). ECC time: 30 to 95 min (51.4 min), anoxia: 14 to 67 min (35.2 min). One patient had respiratory acidosis. CONCLUSION: Early extubation in seleted patients is possible.

Aprotinina não influencia troponina I, NTproBNP e função renal em crianças operadas com circulação extracorpórea / High-dose aprotinin does not affect troponin I, N-Terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptid and renal function in children submitted to surgical correction with extracorporeal circulation

Objetivo: Avaliar se o uso de aprotinina em altas doses hemostáticas pode influenciar as funções miocárdicas, renais e metabólicas em crianças operadas com circulação extracorpórea (CEC). Métodos: Estudo prospectivo randomizado em crianças de 30 dias a 4 anos de idade, submetidas à correção de cardiopatia congênita acianogênica, com CEC e divididas em dois grupos, um denominado Controle (n=9) e o outro, Aprotinina (n=10). Neste, a droga foi administrada antes e durante a CEC. As disfunções miocárdicas e multiorgânicas foram analisadas por marcadores clínicos e bioquímicos. Foram consideradas significantes as diferenças com P<0,05. Resultados: Os grupos foram semelhantes quanto às variáveis demográficas e intra-operatórias, exceto por maior hemodiluição no Grupo Aprotinina. Não houve benefício quanto aos tempos de ventilação pulmonar mecânica, permanência no Centro de Terapia Intensiva Pediátrica (CTIP) e hospitalar, nem quanto ao uso de inotrópicos e função renal. A relação PaO2/FiO2 (pressão parcial de oxigênio arterial/fração inspirada de oxigênio) apresentou queda significativa com 24h PO, no Grupo Controle. As perdas sanguíneas foram semelhantes nos dois grupos. Os marcadores troponina I cardíaca (cTnI), fração MB da creatinofosfoquinase (CKMB), transaminase glutâmico-oxalacética (TGO) e fração amino-terminal do peptídio natriurético tipo B (NT-proBNP) não apresentaram diferenças marcantes inter-grupos. A lactatemia e acidose metabólica pós-CEC foi maior no Grupo Aprotinina. Não houve complicações tromboembólicas, neurológicas ou de hipersensibilidade com o uso da aprotinina. Conclusão: A aprotinina em altas doses não influenciou significativamente nos marcadores séricos troponina I e NTproBNP e de função renal, porém foi associado com maior hemodiluição, lactatemia e acidose metabólica.

Objective: To evaluate if the use of hemostatic high-dose aprotinin seems influence to myocardial, renal and metabolic functions in children submitted to surgical correction with extracorporeal circulation (ECC). Material and Methods A prospective randomized study was conducted on children aged 30 days to 4 years submitted to correction of acyanogenic congenital heart disease with ECC and divided into two groups: Control (n=9) and Aprotinin (n=10). In the Aprotinin Group the drug was administered before and during ECC and the myocardial and multiorgan dysfunctions were analyzed on the basis of clinical and biochemical markers. Differences were considered to be significant when P<0.05. Results: The groups were similar regarding demographic and intraoperative variables, except for a greater hemodilution in the Aprotinin Group. The drug had no benefit regarding time of mechanical pulmonary ventilation, permanence in the pediatric postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) and length of hospitalization, or regarding the use of inotropic drugs and renal function. The partial arterial oxygen pressure/inspired oxygen fraction ratio (PaO2/FiO2) was significantly reduced 24h after surgery in the Control Group. Blood loss was similar for both groups. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase MB fraction (CKMB), serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and the aminoterminal fraction of natriuretic peptide type B (NT-proBNP) did not differ significantly between groups. Post-ECC blood lactate concentration and metabolic acidosis was more intense in the Aprotinin Group. There were no complications with the use of aprotinin. Conclusion: High-dose aprotinin did not significant influence in serum markers troponin I, NT-proBNP and renal function, but did associated with hemodilution, blood lactate concentration and metabolic acidosis more intense.

Changes in near infrared spectroscopy during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Monitoring cerebral oxygenation with near infrared spectroscopy may identify periods of cerebral desaturation and thereby the patients at risk for perioperative neurocognitive issues. Data regarding the performance of near infrared spectroscopy monitoring during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest are limited. The current study presents data regarding use of a commercially available near infrared spectroscopy monitor during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest in paediatric patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease. The cohort included 8 patients, 2 weeks to 6 months of age, who required deep hypothermic circulatory arrest for repair of congenital heart disease. The baseline cerebral oxygenation was 63 +/- 11% and increased to 88 +/- 7% after 15 min of cooling to a nasopharyngeal temperature of 17-18 degrees C on cardiopulmonary bypass. In 5 of 8 patients, the cerebral oxygenation value had achieved its peak value (either >or=90% or no change during the last 2-3 min of cooling on cardiopulmonary bypass). In the remaining 3 patients, additional time on cardiopulmonary bypass was required to achieve a maximum cerebral oxygenation value. The duration of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest varied from 36 to 61 min (43.4 +/- 8 min). After the onset of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, there was an incremental decrease in cerebral oxygenation to a low value of 53 +/- 11%. The greatest decrease occurred during the initial 5 min of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (9 +/- 3%). Over the entire period of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, there was an average decrease in the cerebral oxygenation value of 0.9% per min (range of 0.5 to 1.6% decline per minute). During cardiopulmonary bypass, cooling and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, near infrared spectroscopy monitoring followed the clinically expected parameters. Such monitoring may be useful to identify patients who have not achieved the highest possible cerebral oxygenation value despite 15 min of cooling on cardiopulmonary bypass. Future studies are needed to define the cerebral oxygenation value at which neurological damage occurs and if interventions to correct the decreased cerebral oxygenation will improve perioperative outcomes.

Caudal epidural sufentanil and bupivacaine decreases stress response in paediatric cardiac surgery.

Surgery and anaesthesia are known to cause stress response. Attenuation of stress response can decrease morbidity, postoperative hospital length of stay and, thus, cost. Intrathecal and epidural techniques produce reliable analgesia in patients undergoing surgery along with stress response attenuation. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of caudal sufentanil and bupivacaine combination on perioperative stress response in paediatric patients undergoing open heart surgery. Thirty patients (ASA grade II-III) undergoing elective corrective cardiac surgery for acyanotic congenital heart disease, were randomly allocated to two groups. In group GA (n = 15), patients received balanced general anaesthesia. In group GC (n = 15), in addition to general anaesthesia, caudal block with bupivacaine and sufentanil combination was given after endotracheal intubation. Monitoring included electrocardiography, invasive arterial pressure, end-tidal carbon dioxide, pulse oximetry, arterial blood gases including serum electrolytes, blood glucose, serum cortisol, urine output, central venous pressure and temperature. Haemodynamic responses in both groups were statistically similar. Serum cortisol levels were significantly lower in GC group than GA group (P < 0.05) after sternotomy (9.8+/-7.5 vs. 34.74+/-27.35), on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (12.17 +/- 6.2 vs. 35.36 +/- 24.15), after sternal closure (14.03 +/- 5.1 vs. 37.62 +/- 20.69), 4 hours (26.64 +/- 14.61 vs. 37.62 +/- 9.13) and 24 hours (14.30 +/- 8.11 vs. 28.12 +/- 16.31) after intubation. Blood glucose levels were significantly higher in GA group as compared to GC group at sternal closure (277.46 +/- 77.25 vs.197.73 +/- 42.17) and 4 hours (255.26 +/- 73.73 vs. 185.26 +/- 57.41) after intubation (P < 0.05). To conclude, supplementation of caudal epidural bupivacaine and sufentanil could effectively attenuate the stress response in paediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery under CPB in acyanotic congenital heart anomaly.

Origen anomalo de arteria coronaria: serie de 3 pacientes pediatricos / Anomalous origin of coronary artery pediatric patients serie 3

Las arterias coronarias suministran sangre al mùsculo cardìaco necesita sangre oxìgenada para su buen funcionamiento,depositàndose y vuelvo a los pulmones para proveerse nuevamente de oxìgeno.

Fatores associados ao insucesso no desmame ventilatório de crianças submetidas a cirurgia cardíaca pediátrica / Factors associated with failure in ventilatory weaning of children undergone pediatric cardiac surgery

OBJETIVO: Verificar os fatores associados ao insucesso no desmame de crianças submetidas a correção cirúrgica de cardiopatias congênitas. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte. A amostra foi composta de 29 crianças. As cardiopatias foram divididas em cianóticas (nove crianças) e acianóticas (20 crianças). Foram estudadas crianças de 0 a 5 anos, submetidas a cirurgia cardíaca com permanência em ventilação mecânica invasiva. RESULTADOS: O grupo insucesso apresentou valor menor na SpO2 e valores maiores nos dias de permanência em VMI e na FiO2 quando comparados ao grupo sucesso (P<0,05). Observou-se que quatro (14 por cento) crianças tiveram insucesso no desmame, sendo necessário retornar a prótese ventilatória antes de 48 horas após a extubação. CONCLUSÃO: Os dias de VMI, a SpO2 reduzida e a FiO2 elevada foram os principais fatores associados à falha na extubação neste grupo de pacientes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess factors associated with failure in ventilatory weaning of children undergone surgical correction of congenital heart diseases. METHODS: Cohort study with 29 children. The heart diseases were divided into cyanotic (nine children) and acyanotic (20 children). We studied children from 0 to 5 years who underwent heart surgery with invasive mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: The failure group presented smaller value in SpO2 and higher values during days of stay in IMV and FiO2 when compared to the success group (P<0.05). It was observed that 4 children (14 percent) had failed in weaning, being necessary to return the ventilatory prosthesis before 48 hours after extubation. CONCLUSION: The days of IMV, SpO2 and FiO2 were the main factors associated with failed extubation in this group of patients.

Plasma endothelin-1, homocysteine and serum nitric oxide values in patients with left-to-right shunt.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pulmonary blood flow and pulmonary hypertension on plasma endothelin-1, homocysteine and serum nitric oxide levels in patients with left-to-right shunt lesions with pulmonary hypertension and also with normal pulmonary arterial pressure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Plasma endothelin-1, homocysteine and nitric oxide levels were measured in 44 patients (Group 1) with left-to-right shunt and normal pulmonary arterial pressure (Qp/Qs: 2.1), 65 patients (Group 2) with left-to-right shunt and pulmonary hypertension (Qp/Qs: 2.4), 20 healthy control subjects (Group 3), and 17 post-operative patients (Group 4). Plasma endothelin-1 and serum nitric oxide levels were significantly higher in Group 2 than in groups 1, 3, and 4 (p<0.001). Plasma homocysteine levels were significantly higher in Group 2 than in Groups 1 and 4 (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The increase in serum nitric oxide levels in patients with left-to-right shunt and pulmonary hypertension may be attributed to the compensatory mechanism. However, this increase does not improve pulmonary hypertension because of increased endothelin-1 and homocysteine levels. In the light of present study, we conclude that vascular changes caused by increased homocysteine and endothelin-1 may provoke pulmonary hypertension in patients with left-to-right shunt.

Diagnosing iron deficiency in cyanotic heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of iron deficiency in children with CCHD by noninvasive, inexpensive and easy laboratory methods. METHODS: Forty four children with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD), aged 6 to 48 months were included in this study. The patients were categorized as iron deficient (n:28) and iron sufficient group (n:16). Children with CCHD who had iron deficiency were treated with iron for 3 months. RESULT: Iron sufficient patients were followed during 3 months without giving iron preparation. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), red cell distribution width (RDW), serum iron (SI), total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and serum ferritin levels were measured in all patients at the beginning and at the end of the study. CONCLUSION: In children with CCHD, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct) and red blood cell (RBC) counts were not considered significant parameters in the diagnosis of iron deficiency. Determination of MCV, MCH, RDW values is relatively easy and inexpensive method requiring small amount of blood for the diagnosis of iron deficiency during the follow-up of patients with CCHD.

Haemostatic changes in children with cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease.

This study was undertaken to screen children with congenital heart disease for coagulation abnormalities and to compare the groups of cyanotic and acyanotic children with congenital heart disease with respect to abnormalities of the coagulation system. Following investigations were done in all the patients: complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, peripheral smear examination, bleeding time, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, assay of fibrinogen, D-dimer, factors VII and VIII and antithrombin III. Red cell indices were determined in 12 control, 12 acyanotic and 20 cyanotic children. Twenty-five patients each, with echocardiographically proven cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease under 12 years of age constituted the study group; as many children of the same age group were included as the control group. The results showed isolated abnormalities of laboratory tests with equal frequency (28%) in acyanotic and cyanotic groups but coexisting abnormalities of more than one test were seen in significantly larger number of cyanotic children (5/25 and 16/25, respectively). A significant association was noted between thrombocytopenia and a high haematocrit in cyanotic patients. It is concluded that laboratory abnormalities of tests of haemostasis are more common in cyanotic congenital heart disease patients. The patterns of laboratory abnormalities suggest a chronic compensated disseminated intravascular coagulation at a subclinical level, reduced synthesis of clotting factors and/or deranged platelet aggregation in different subgroups of patients.

Correlación entre la oximetría de pulso y la gasometría arterial en el paciente de alto riesgo / Correlation between pulse oxymetry and blood gas analysis in the high risk patient

Se realiza un análisis del valor de la saturación arterial de la hemoglobina, en un estudio prospectivo de 20 pacientes pediátricos programados para corregir su defecto anatómico cardiovascular, a los cuales se les realizaron 20 tomas de muestra para gasometría arterial y monitoreo continuo con oxímetro de pulso. Se hace además, una reseña histórica sobre saturometría transcutánea; se relacionan las características técnicas de los equipos utilizados. Se analizan los datos obtenidos, los cuales son comparados y se concluye en que las mediciones de saturometría transcutánea es un gran paso de avance en el monitoreo respiratorio y hemodinámico en el paciente de alto riesgo al que se le efectúa cirugía, además lo no invasivo lo hace la mejor y más económica elección en los quirófanos

Protein C, protein S and antithrombin III in children with complicated congenital heart diseases

This study was carried out on 40 patients with congenital heart disease [CHD] aged three months to seven years and divided into two groups: The first included 28 patients with complicated CHD and the second group included 12 patients with uncomplicated CHD. Ten healthy children were chosen as controls. A coagulation profile consisting of protein C, protein S, antithrombin III, factor V and factor VIII were evaluated in all patients and controls. The mean values of protein C, protein S, antithrombin III, factor V and factor VIII were significantly decreased in patients with complicated CHD compared with both uncomplicated cases and controls. Eighteen out of twenty-two patients with complicated CHD had low protein C levels [2 standard deviations below the normal mean value of the controls]. Of these children, three developed thrombotic complications and eight had evidences suggestive of consumption coagulopathy [decreased factors V and VIII]. It was concluded that decreased levels of coagulation inhibitors protein C, protein S and antithrombin III were observed in ill children with complicated CHD. With reduced levels of protein C, children with complicated CHD might have a tendency toward thrombotic complications

A clinico-hematological study of iron deficiency anemia and its correlation with hyperviscosity symptoms in cyanotic congenital heart disease.

The present study was carried out in 33 cases of cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and its correlation to hyperviscosity symptoms in terms of hematocrit levels. Furthermore, the study was aimed at assessing the response to low dose iron therapy (60 mg of elemental iron once daily) in relieving symptoms of hyperviscosity. All these cases were evaluated for presence of symptoms of hyperviscosity and later subjected to various hematological & biochemical parameters of iron deficiency anemia including hemoglobin (Hb), pack cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), serum iron, total iron binding capacity respectively. Results showed presence of IDA in 6/33 cases (18.2%) and hyperviscosity symptoms in 10/33 cases (30.3%). Amongst the group with symptoms of hyperviscosity, in the subset having IDA these symptoms were observed at PCV levels of 0.52 L/L to 0.58 L/L in contrast to the subset not deficient in iron where the symptoms occurred at a PCV 0.68 L/L. Relief of symptoms of hyperviscosity was evident with a minimal rise of mean hemoglobin by 2.1 gm/dl. It was concluded that IDA was not an uncommon finding in CCHD cases and that it leads to symptoms of hyperviscosity at a level of PCV much lower than those known to produce these symptoms. Finally low dose iron therapy was found effective in relieving the symptoms of hyperviscosity.

Banda anômala de ventrículo direito: discussäo e apresentaçäo de 6 casos / Anomalous band of the right ventricle: discussion and presentation of six cases

A banda anômala de ventrículo direito é uma malformaçäo em que um feixe muscular subfundilar anômalo divide o ventrículo direito em duas cavidades muitas vezes, criando um gradiente significativo entre elas. Na maior parte dos casos existe um defeito cardíaco associado, estando a comunicaçäo interventricular presente em cerca de 80% dos casos. Neste artigo säo apresentados seis casos clínicos de banda anômala de ventrículo direito, sendo cinco do sexo masculino e somente 1 do sexo feminino. A idade variou de 6 a 11 anos, e todos os pacientes eram pouco sintomáticos, a despeito de uma significativa obstruçäo entre o corpo do ventrículo direito e sua via de saída. Näo foram incluídos os pacientes portadores de Tetralogia de Fallote, devido às características hemodinâmicas distintas apresentadas. Säo apresentadas consideraçöes anatômicas, fisiopatológicas e hemodinâmicas desta entidade.