Age-dependent and hypoxia-related differences in myocardial protection during pediatric open heart surgery

Background-Current cardioplegic protection techniques used in pediatric cardiac surgery do not take into consideration age and cyanotic differences. The aim of the present work was to address this question by monitoring clinical outcome, myocardial metabolism, and reperfusion injury in pediatric patients protected by cold-crystalloid cardioplegia. Methods and Results-Fifty-eight patients (31 children and 27 infants) with or without hypoxic stress (cyanosis) undergoing open heart surgery with cold-crystalloid cardioplegia were included in the study. Clinical outcome measures assessed included inotropic and ventilatory support, intensive care, and hospital stay. Ischemia-induced changes in metabolism (adenine nucleotides, purines, lactate, and amino acids) were determined in ventricular biopsies collected at the beginning and end of ischemic time (cross-clamp time). Reperfusion injury was assessed by measuring postoperative serial release of troponin I. Evidence was observed of ischemic stress during cardioplegic arrest in children and infants as shown by significant changes in cellular metabolites. Compared with infants, children had significantly less reperfusion injury and better clinical outcome, and these factors were related to duration of ischemic time. Cyanosis did not influence outcome in infants, but cyanotic children showed worse reperfusion injury and clinical outcome than acyanotic children. Conclusions-Extent of myocardial protection with cold-crystalloid cardioplegia in pediatric open heart surgery is dependent on age and degree of cyanosis.