Impact of Bloodstream Infection on the Outcome of Children Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a main cause of nosocomial infection in the critical care area. The development of BSI affects the surgical outcome and increases intensive care unit (ICU) morbidity and mortality. This prospective cohort study was undertaken to determine the incidence, etiology, risk factors, and outcome of BSI for postoperative pediatric cardiac patients in the pediatric cardiac ICU setup. All postoperative pediatric patients admitted to the pediatric cardiac ICU from January 2007 to December 2007 were included in the study. Data were prospectively collected using a standardized data collection form. Patients with BSI (group 1) were compared with non-BSI patients (group 2) in terms of age, weight, surgical complexity score, duration of central line, need to keep the chest open postoperatively, and the length of the pediatric cardiac ICU and hospital stay. Of the 311 patients who underwent cardiac surgery during the study period, 27 (8.6%) were identified as having BSI (group 1). The 311 patients included in the study had a total of 1,043 central line days and a catheter-related BSI incidence density rate of 25.8 per 1,000 central line days. According to univariate analysis, the main risk factors for the development of BSI after pediatric cardiac surgery were lower patient weight (p = 0.005), high surgical complexity score (p < 0.05), open sternum postoperatively (p < 0.05), longer duration of central lines (p < 0.0001), and prolonged pediatric cardiac ICU and hospital stay (p < 0.0001). Gram-negative organisms were responsible for 67% of the BSI in the pediatric cardiac ICU, with pseudomonas (28%) and enterobacter (22%) as the main causative organisms. The mortality rate in the BSI group was 11% compared with 2% in the non-BSI group. In our pediatric cardiac ICU, BSI developed in 8.6% of the children undergoing cardiac surgery, mainly caused by a Gram-negative organism. The main risk factors for BSI in the postoperative pediatric cardiac patient were high surgical complexity, open sternum, low body weight, longer duration of central line, and prolonged pediatric cardiac ICU stay.     

Impact of 22q11.2 Deletion on the Postoperative Course of Children After Cardiac Surgery

The primary objective of this study was to describe the impact of 22q11.2 deletion (del22q11) on the clinical characteristics, postoperative course, and short-term outcomes of children undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease. The charts of all children ages 1 day–18 years who received cardiac surgery for interrupted aortic arch (IAA), tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), or truncus arteriosus (TA) repair from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups: the 22q11 group including children with del22q11 undergoing surgery for TOF, IAA, or TA and the non-22q11 or control group including children with no chromosomal or genetic abnormality undergoing surgery for TOF, IAA, or TA. Demographic information, cardiac diagnoses, noncardiac abnormalities, preoperative factors, intraoperative details, surgical procedures performed, postoperative complications, and in-hospital deaths were collected. The outcome data collected included days of inotrope use, need for dialysis, length of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, and mortality. The study enrolled 173 patients: 65 patients in the 22q11 group and 108 patients in the control group. Of the 65 patients in the 22q11 group, 36 (55 %) underwent repair for TOF, 13 (20 %) for IAA, and 16 (25 %) for TA. The two groups did not differ in terms of age or weight. The preexisting conditions were similar in the two groups. Unplanned noncardiac operations were more common in the children with del22q11, but delayed chest closure was similar in the two groups. The incidence of postoperative noncardiac complications such as reintubation, vocal cord paralysis, and diaphragmatic paralysis was similar in the two groups. However, increasing numbers of patients in del22q11 group needed dialysis in one form or the other during the immediate postoperative stay. The incidence of fungal infection and wound infection was higher in the del22q11 group than in the control group. Duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU LOS, and hospital LOS were similar in the two groups, except in certain subgroups. Mortality did not differ significantly between the two groups. In conclusion, children with del22q11 have a higher risk of postoperative complications after cardiac surgery, with no difference in length of mechanical ventilation, ICU LOS, hospital LOS, or mortality. However, short-term outcomes may differ in certain subgroups.     

Complex Chronic Conditions Among Children Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Children with complex chronic conditions (CCCs) require a disproportionate amount of inpatient resources and are at increased risk of mortality during hospital admissions. This study examines the impact of non-cardiac, comorbid complex chronic conditions on outcomes in children undergoing congenital heart surgery. All admissions associated with a congenital cardiac surgical procedure in the Kids’ Inpatient Database from 1997 to 2012 were examined. Children were classified by the number as well as type (genetic vs. non-genetic) of CCC. Baseline demographics as well as proportion of total inpatient days and total hospitalization charges was assessed. Multivariate regression models examining occurrence of a complication, mortality, prolonged length of stay and high hospitalization charges were constructed. In multivariate models, an increasing number of CCC was associated with increased risk of mortality and complications (mortality: 1 CCC: odds ratio (OR) = 1.17, 95 % CI = 1.03–1.33); ≥2 CCC: OR = 1.54, 95 % CI = 1.26–1.87). Additionally, the presence of a genetic CCC was protective against mortality (OR = 0.71, 95 % CI = 0.56–0.89) while non-genetic CCCs were associated with mortality (OR = 1.62, 95 % CI = 1.41–1.88) and high resource utilization. Over time, the proportion of genetic CCC remained stable while non-genetic CCC increased in prevalence. Complex chronic conditions have a varying association with mortality, morbidity and resource utilization in children undergoing congenital heart surgery. While genetic CCCs were not associated with poor outcomes, non-genetic CCCs were risk factors for morbidity and mortality. These findings suggest that pre-surgical counseling and surgical planning should account for the type of non-cardiac comorbid conditions.     

Prognostic Value of Pre- and Postoperative Cardiac Troponin I Measurement in Children Having Cardiac Surgery

The objective of this study was to determine if perioperative elevation of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) predicts mortality in infants and children after surgical correction of congenital heart defects. One hundred infants and children having open heart surgery were studied. Blood samples for cTnI analysis were collected before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and at 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after initiation of CPB. Demographic information, cardiac defect, repair performed, duration of CPB, complications, and outcome were recorded. Cardiac defects were categorized as atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septal defect (VSD), hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), complex, and “other.” Baseline cTnI was significantly lower in survivors (mean 0.42 ng/ml, median 0.35 ng/ml) than in nonsurvivors (mean 1.89, median 1.30), p= 0.0001. Baseline cTnI was significantly higher in the HLHS group (mean 1.47, median 1.10) than in all other subgroups (mean 0.62, median 0.35), p≤ 0.009. There were no significant differences between survivors and nonsurvivors at the remaining sampling times. Children who died from cardiac failure (n = 2) were more likely to have 4 h cTnI >125 ng/ml compared to survivors (2 of 90). Within cardiac defect subgroups, 4 h cTnI was significantly higher in the complex group (mean = 53.51, median = 32.30) than in the ASD (mean = 23.84, median = 19.85) and other (mean = 21.59, median 21.50) subgroups. Perioperative measurement of cTnI identifies children within specific cardiac defect subgroups at risk of mortality after cardiac surgery. We speculate that detection of myocardial injury may decrease mortality and morbidity in children with complicated congenital cardiac lesions by leading to improvements in perioperative management. Received November 2, 1998; accepted April 7, 1999.     

Acute Renal Failure and Outcome of Children with Solitary Kidney Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of acute renal failure (ARF), the need for renal replacement therapy, and the outcome of children with a solitary functioning kidney undergoing open heart surgery. The study was performed retrospectively on all children diagnosed with solitary functioning kidney and who required open heart surgery between January 2003 and January 2007. Demographic, perioperative renal function and intensive care course data were documented. Eight patients (six females) fulfilled the study criteria and were included in the study. Their median age and weight were 4.5 months and 3.6 kg, respectively. Their mean ± standard deviation (SD) preoperative blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels were 3.7 ± 1.6 mmol/L and 55 ± 10 μmol/L, respectively. Postoperatively, the mean BUN and creatinine levels peaked on the first postoperative day to reach 7.8 ± 2.6 mmol/L and 76 ± 22 μmol/L, respectively, before starting to return to their preoperative values. Two out of eight patients (25%) developed ARF after surgery, but only one of them (12.5%) required renal replacement therapy. Open heart surgery on bypass can be performed safely for children with solitary functioning kidney with a good outcome. ARF requiring renal replacement therapy might occur temporarily after bypass surgery in a minority of cases.     

Effects of Circuit Residual Volume Salvage Reinfusion on the Postoperative Clinical Outcome for Pediatric Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of washed cardiopulmonary (CPB) circuit residual blood reinfusion on the postoperative clinical outcome for pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. A total of 309 consecutive Chinese cardiac patients receiving CPB between October 2010 and April 2011 were prospectively analyzed. For 217 patients, CPB circuit residual blood was reinfused after the cell-saving procedure [cell-salvage group (CS)]. The remaining 92 patients were directly transfused with allogenic red blood cells (RBCs) after their operation [control group (CON)]. Assessment included perioperative transfusion of RBCs, postoperative hematocrit (HCT), chest tube drainage during the first 24 h after the operation, intrahospital mortality, respiratory morbidity, and renal dysfunction. The two groups were well matched in terms of demographics, CPB data, and complexity of surgical procedure. The patients in the CS group had a significantly higher HCT level postoperatively (p = 0.018) and a less allogenic RBCs transfusion (p = 0.000). The two groups did not differ in terms of chest tube drainage during the first 24 h postoperatively, intrahospital mortality, or respiratory morbidity. The incidence of serum creatinine (≥2-folds) during the first 72 h after the operation was significantly lower in the CS group (2.3 %) than in the CON group (8.7 %) (p = 0.010). Reinfusion of washed CPB circuit residual blood significantly raised the postoperative HCT level, reduced the allogeneic blood transfusion, decreased the incidence of early postoperative renal dysfunction, and did not increase the chest tube drainage after the operation in pediatric cardiac surgery.     

Adrenal Insufficiency in Children Undergoing Heart Surgery Does Not Correlate With More Complex Postoperative Course

Although some evidence suggests benefit of steroid supplementation after pediatric cardiac surgery, data correlating adrenal function with the postoperative course is scarce. This study sought to determine if adrenal insufficiency (AI) after cardiac surgery is associated with a more complicated postoperative course in children. A prospective study was performed during a 6-month period at a pediatric medical center. Included were 119 children, 3 months and older, who underwent heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Cortisol levels were measured before and 18 h after surgery. Patients were divided into two groups by procedure complexity (low or high), and clinical and laboratory parameters were compared between patients with and without AI within each complexity group. In the low-complexity group, 45 of the 65 patients had AI. The normal adrenal function (NAF) subgroup had greater inotropic support at 12, 24, and 36 h after surgery and a higher lactate level at 12 and 24 h after surgery. There were no significant differences between subgroups in duration of ventilation, sedation, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, or urine output. In the high-complexity group, 27 patients had AI, and 27 did not. There were no significant differences between subgroups in inotropic support or urine output during the first 36 h or in mechanical ventilation, sedation, or ICU stay duration. Children with AI after heart surgery do not have a more complex postoperative course than children with NAF. The adrenal response of individual patients seems to be appropriate for their cardiovascular status.     

体外循环下心脏术后发热的原因

体外循环下心脏术后发热作为一种临床常见并发症开始引起临床医师的关注.发热机制包括体液学说和神经学说.术后发热原因可简单分为非感染性发热和感染性发热.非感染性发热常见于炎性反应、自身免疫反应、药物及输血等.感染性发热常见于呼吸道感染、切口感染及血行感染等.现就体外循环下心脏术后的发热原因进行概述.     

High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation for Cardiac Surgery Children With Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in children after open heart surgery, although uncommon, can be a significant source of morbidity. Because high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) had been used successfully with pediatric patients who had no congenital heart defects, this therapy was used in our unit. This report aims to describe a single-center experience with HFOV in the management of ARDS after open heart surgery with respect to mortality. This retrospective clinical study was conducted in a pediatric intensive care unit. From October 2008 to August 2012, 64 of 10,843 patients with refractory ARDS who underwent corrective surgery at our institution were ventilated with HFOV. Patients with significant uncorrected residual lesions were not included. No interventions were performed. The patients were followed up until hospital discharge. The main outcome measure was survival to hospital discharge. Severe ARDS was defined as acute-onset pulmonary failure with bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and an oxygenation index (OI) higher than 13 despite maximal ventilator settings. The indication for HFOV was acute severe ARDS unresponsive to optimal conventional treatment. The variables recorded and subjected to multivariate analysis were patient demographics, underlying disease, clinical data, and ventilator parameters and their association with hospital mortality. Nearly 10,843 patients underwent surgery during the study period, and the ARDS incidence rate was 0.76 % (83/10,843), with 64 patients (77 %, 64/83) receiving HFOV. No significant changes in systemic or central venous pressure were associated with initiation and maintenance of HFOV. The complications during HFOV included pneumothorax for 22 patients. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 39 % (25/64). Multiple regression analyses indicated that pulmonary hypertension and recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) before surgery were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. The findings show that HFOV is an effective and safe method for ventilating severe ARDS patients after corrective cardiac surgery. Pulmonary hypertension and RRTIs before surgery were risk factors for in-hospital mortality.     

Myocardial Oxidative Stress in Infants Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease often necessitates a period of myocardial ischemia during cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest, followed by reperfusion after aortic cross-clamp removal. In experimental models, myocardial ischemia–reperfusion is associated with significant oxidative stress and ventricular dysfunction. A prospective observational study was conducted in infants (<1 year) who underwent elective surgical repair of a ventricular septal defect (VSD) or tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Blood samples were drawn following anesthetic induction (baseline) and directly from the coronary sinus at 1, 3, 5, and 10 min following aortic cross-clamp removal. Samples were analyzed for oxidant stress using assays for thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, protein carbonyl, 8-isoprostane, and total antioxidant capacity. For each subject, raw assay data were normalized to individual baseline samples and expressed as fold-change from baseline. Results were compared using a one-sample t test with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Sixteen patients (ten with TOF and six with VSD) were enrolled in the study, and there were no major postoperative complications observed. For the entire cohort, there was an immediate, rapid increase in myocardial oxidative stress that was sustained for 10 min following aortic cross-clamp removal in all biomarker assays (all P < 0.01), except total antioxidant capacity. Infant cardiac surgery is associated with a rapid, robust, and time-dependent increase in myocardial oxidant stress as measured from the coronary sinus in vivo. Future studies with larger enrollment are necessary to assess any association between myocardial oxidative stress and early postoperative outcomes.     

病毒感染与婴幼儿喘息性疾病

婴幼儿喘息性疾病的发病率逐年上升,病毒感染是诱发婴幼儿喘息的重要因素,这一观点已得到国内外学者的普遍认可。探讨病毒感染引起婴幼儿喘息的机制,对于婴幼儿喘息的干预与转归有重要意义。本文介绍几种常见病毒感染的特点及研究进展。近几年,新发现的人偏肺病毒、人博卡病毒也可引起婴幼儿喘息。本文将其相关研究作一介绍。     

Comparison of Maximum Vasoactive Inotropic Score and Low Cardiac Output Syndrome As Markers of Early Postoperative Outcomes After Neonatal Cardiac Surgery

Low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) and maximum vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) have been used as surrogate markers for early postoperative outcomes in pediatric cardiac surgery. The objective of this study was to determine the associations between LCOS and maximum VIS with clinical outcomes in neonatal cardiac surgery. This was a secondary retrospective analysis of a prospective randomized trial, and the setting was a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit in a tertiary care children’s hospital. Neonates (n = 76) undergoing corrective or palliative cardiac operations requiring cardiopulmonary bypass were prospectively enrolled. LCOS was defined by a standardized clinical criteria. VIS values were calculated by a standard formula during the first 36 postoperative hours, and the maximum score was recorded. Postoperative outcomes included hospital mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital lengths of stay (LOS), as well as total hospital charges. At surgery, the median age was 7 days and weight was 3.2 kg. LCOS occurred in 32 of 76 (42%) subjects. Median maximum VIS was 15 (range 5–33). LCOS was not associated with duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU LOS, hospital LOS, and hospital charges. Greater VIS was moderately associated with a longer duration of mechanical ventilation (p = 0.001, r = 0.36), longer ICU LOS (p = 0.02, r = 0.27), and greater total hospital costs (p = 0.05, r = 0.22) but not hospital LOS (p = 0.52). LCOS was not associated with early postoperative outcomes. Maximum VIS has only modest correlation with duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU LOS, and total hospital charges.     

Effect of Weight on Outcomes of Children Undergoing Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Chemotherapy dosing in hematopoietic cell therapy (HCT) conditioning regimens is based on patient weight. We hypothesized that potential underdosing or overdosing of patients with significant deviation of weight from normal might alter HCT outcomes, such as early mortality, overall or organ-specific toxicity, and/or relapse. We therefore conducted a retrospective analysis of 400 children between the ages of 2 and 18 years who underwent HCT for malignant or nonmalignant disease at Boston Children's Hospital over a 10-year period. Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standard weight classification schema, we found no evidence to suggest a difference in survival or in time to engraftment or in relapse in patients with malignant disease. In the subgroups of patients either receiving autologous HCT or with underlying malignancy, combined overweight and obese patients had a higher rate of any organ, but not organ-specific, Grade 3–5 toxicity compared with the normal weight group. The study was not powered to detect a difference between underweight and normal weight patients. These data suggest that multiple outcome measures over the first year after HCT are unaffected by weight.     

Protective Effect of Propofol and Its Relation to Postoperation Recovery in Children Undergoing Cardiac Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of propofol and its relation to postoperation recovery in children undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Twenty ASA class I–II children with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery were randomly allocated to a propofol group (n = 10) or a control group (n = 10). Blood samples were collected at five time points: before operation (T ₀), before the start of CPB (T ₁), 25 min after the aorta was cross-clamped (T ₂), 30 min after release of the aortic cross-clamp (T ₃), and 2 h after the cessation of CPB (T ₄). The myocardial samples were collected at the time of incubation into the right atrium before CPB and at 30 min after reperfusion. After CPB, propofol significantly suppressed the increase of the serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CK), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and the decrease of the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) level. In addition, propofol inhibited the increase of myocardial nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) expression and inflammatory cells infiltration after CPB. Furthermore, propofol significantly shortened the tracheal extubation time. In conclusion, propofol exerts a protective effect and improves postoperation recovery through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions in children undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB.     

手术方法对施择期腭成形术小儿手术后早期低氧血症的影响

目的评价不同手术方法对施择期腭成形术小儿手术后早期低氧血症的影响。方法选择321例美国麻醉医师协会(ASA)I级、年龄8个月～14岁拟行腭成形术的患儿,根据不同手术方法将其分为3组。所有患儿采用静吸复合全身麻醉。手术后到达恢复窒即刻(0min)和5、10、15、20、30、40、50、60、120和180min时,记录患儿呼吸空气时的Sp(O2)。结果患儿接受的腭成形术越复杂,其在手术后早期的Sp(O2)水平越低、Sp(O2)的恢复越慢和低氧血症发生率越高。手术后早期的Sp(O2)水平和低氧血症发生率在3组间具有显著差异。结论腭成形术患儿手术后早期Sp(O2)降低严重程度和低氧血症发生率与手术方法密切相关。患儿到达恢复室时的Sp(O2)水平和低氧血症发生率与麻醉恢复评分密切相关,说明术后呼吸功能的恢复取决于麻醉恢复程度。     

Complement Activation, Cytokines, and Adhesion Molecules in Children Undergoing Cardiac Surgery with or without Cardiopulmonary Bypass

The effect of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on various blood parameters in children undergoing major cardiovascular surgery was investigated in a prospective clinical study. Blood samples of children with CPB (CPB group, n= 18) or without CPB (control, n= 12) were collected before, during, and after surgery. The concentration of routine laboratory parameters, components of the complement system (C3, C4, C5, C1 inhibitor, total hemolytic complement, C3d, and C5a), circulating interleukins (IL-6 and IL-8) and soluble adhesion molecules (sICAM-1 and sE-selectin) were determined. In both groups of patients the serum concentrations of C3, C4, C5, and C1 inhibitor were significantly affected by the treatments (p < 0.001), decreased immediately after onset of anesthesia, were minimal during surgery, and increased thereafter. No significant differences in the kinetics of these parameters were detectable between CPB and control group. In the CPB group the activation of the alternative pathway (increased C3d) was found to be a specific response (p= 0.005), but also in the control group C3d and C5a concentration increased significantly (p < 0.022), indicating complement activation. None of the effects that would be expected after activation of the complement system were specific for the CPB group. In both groups the serum levels of IL-6 increased dramatically during and/or after surgery (p= 0.001), and IL-8 was detectable after surgery in 10/12 control patients. The concentration of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin decreased during surgery (p < 0.04) and later did not increase above baseline. Our data suggest that increased serum levels of inflammation mediators and increased consumption of complement and adhesion molecules occur during cardiovascular surgery. Although complement activation and ICAM-1 consumption are more pronounced in the CPB patients, none of these changes occurs exclusively in the CPB group. We conclude, therefore, that these changes are the combined effect of anesthesia, surgical trauma, and endothelial lesions. Additional, undefined CPB-induced reactions may also contribute the postoperative morbidity.     

Reduction in Postoperative High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in Children Undergoing the Fontan Operation

Despite the emerging relevance of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in the inflammatory cascade and vascular barrier integrity, HDL levels in children undergoing cardiac surgery are unexplored. As a measure of HDL levels, the HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) in single-ventricle patients was quantified before and after the Fontan operation, and it was determined whether relationships existed between the duration and the type of postoperative pleural effusions. The study prospectively enrolled 12 children undergoing the Fontan operation. Plasma HDL-C levels were measured before and after cardiopulmonary bypass. The outcome variables of interest were the duration and type of chest tube drainage (chylous vs. nonchylous). The Kendall rank correlation coefficient and the Wilcoxon rank sum test were used. There were 11 complete observations. The median preoperative HDL-C level for all the subjects was 30?mg/dl (range, 24-53?mg/dl), and the median postcardiopulmonary bypass level was 21?mg/dl (range, 14-46?mg/dl) (p?=?0.004). There was a tendency toward a moderate inverse correlation (-0.42) between the postcardiopulmonary bypass HDL-C level and the duration of chest tube drainage, but the result was not statistically significant (p?=?0.07). In the chylous effusion group, the median postcardiopulmonary bypass HDL-C tended to be lower (16 vs. 23?mg/dl; p?=?0.09). After the Fontan operation, the plasma HDL-C levels in children are significantly reduced. It is reasonable to conclude that the reduction in HDL-C reflects reduced plasma levels of HDL particles, which may have pertinent implications in postoperative pleural effusions given the antiinflammatory and endothelial barrier functions of HDL.     

Cytokine Response in Children Undergoing Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease

Pediatric cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) induces a complex inflammatory response that may cause multiorgan dysfunction. The objective of this study was to measure postoperative cytokine production and correlate the magnitude of this response with intraoperative variables and postoperative outcomes. Serum samples from 20 children (median age, 15 months) undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB were obtained preoperatively and on postoperative days (POD) 1–3. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10 increased significantly on POD 1 (p < 0.01) vs pre-op values to 271 ± 68, 44 ± 9, 7.5 ± 0.8 pg/ml, respectively, whereas serum IL-1β, IL-12, and tumor neurosis factor -α were not significantly changed. The serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels correlated positively (p < 0.01) with the degree of postoperative medical intervention as measured by the Therapeutic Interventional Scoring System and indicated a greater need for inotropic support (p = 0.057). A negative correlation (p < 0.01) between IL-6, IL-8, and mixed venous oxygen saturation suggested compromised cardiopulmonary function. Patients with single ventricle anatomy had the highest levels of IL-6 and IL-8 (629 ± 131 and 70 ± 17 pg/ml, respectively), with a mean CPB time of 106 ± 23 minutes. Thus, the proinflammatory response after surgery with CPB was associated with postoperative morbidity with increased need for medical intervention.