title: Routine mechanical ventricular assist following the Norwood procedure--improved neurologic outcome and excellent hospital survival.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although excellent survival following the Norwood procedure for palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is being achieved by some, most centers, especially the ones with small surgical volume and limited experience, continue to struggle with initial results. Survivors often showed evidence of significant neurologic injury. The early postoperative care is labor-intensive as attempts are made to balance the systemic and pulmonary circulation for these infants. We report our experience with routine use of mechanical circulatory assist to support the increased cardiac output requirements present following Norwood procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen consecutive infants undergoing Norwood operation for HLHS (Oregon Health & Science University [OHSU] 13; University of Louisville [UL] 5) were placed on a ventricular assist device (VAD) immediately following modified ultrafiltration in the operating room using the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) cannulas that were in the right atrium and the neoaorta. VAD flows were maintained at approximately 200 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1) and the patients were transported to the intensive care unit (ICU). Patients operated at OHSU also received neurodevelopmental testing before their Glenn procedure, approximately 4 to 6 months following their Norwood operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were stable on VAD support and no attempt was made to balance the systemic and pulmonary circulation. The ventilator was manipulated to achieve systemic Pa0(2) between 30 and 45 mm Hg and PaC0(2) between 35 and 45 mm Hg. Evidence of hypoperfusion (increasing lactates) was managed by increasing the VAD flow. Lactates normalized [< 2 mmol/L]) by 1.8 +/- 1.1 days following surgery. Average time of VAD support was 3.1 +/- 1.0 (range, 2 to 5 days) and average time until chest closure was 3.4 +/- 1.5 (range, 2 to 8 days). There were two cases of postoperative bleeding (11.1%) requiring reexploration and one case of mediastinitis (5.5%) in a patient who has now gone on to successful Glenn. Sixteen of the eighteen patients survived (hospital survival mean 89% with a 95% confidence interval of 63.9% to 98.1%; 12/13 OHSU [92.3%]; 4/5 UL [80%]). Neurodevelopmental testing using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale were normal for all infants tested.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Routine postoperative use of VAD can support the increased cardiac output demands of infants following Norwood operation and results in a stable postoperative convalescence that does not require aggressive ventilator or inotrope manipulation. Although not a panacea, this strategy can simplify postoperative management, lead to excellent hospital survival, and possibly augment cerebral oxygen delivery, resulting in improved neurologic outcomes for this challenging group of patients.
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA. ungerlei@ohsu.edu
authors.forename: Ross M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Ungerleider
authors.forename: Irving
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: Jess
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schultz
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Silberbach
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giacomuzzi
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.forename: Leanne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Studenberg
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mejak
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Farrel
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McClure
authors.forename: Erle H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Austin
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D018636:Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009420:Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development; D010166:Palliative Care; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome