Phosphorylcholine or heparin coating for pediatric extracorporeal circulation causes similar biologic effects in neonates and infants.
OBJECTIVE
Cardiac surgery for complex congenital malformations with use of extracorporeal circulation predisposes to an excessive systemic inflammatory response and a consecutive capillary leak syndrome. In a prospective randomized study the influence of 2 oxygenators especially designed for pediatric use on inflammatory markers and clinical outcome was investigated.


METHODS
Forty neonates and infants (body surface area, <0.36 m(2)) undergoing cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation were randomized into one of 3 groups: in the first group (n = 14) the Medtronic Minimax Oxygenator and in the second group (n = 12) the Dideco Lilliput 1 Oxygenator, both with a 750-mL priming volume, were used. In the third group the Dideco Lilliput 1 Oxygenator was filled with a reduced priming volume of 450 mL. Parameters of interest for evaluation of a systemic inflammatory response after extracorporeal circulation were interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, neutrophil elastase, complement C3, and free hemoglobin. In addition, erythrocyte, leukocyte, and thrombocyte counts and hemoglobin and C-reactive protein values were determined at different measurement points before, during, and after the operation.


RESULTS
In all 3 groups peak values for tumor necrosis factor alpha were observed during the operation, whereas interleukin 6, elastase, and free hemoglobin values peaked in the first 4 hours. The highest values for leukocytes and C-reactive protein were obtained between 24 and 72 hours after the operation. Erythrocyte and thrombocyte counts, as well as hemoglobin values, were lowest at extracorporeal circulation onset, normalizing under substitution in the first 4 hours after the operation. By using the Lilliput/750 oxygenator, higher interleukin 6 values 1 and 4 hours after the operation and higher tumor necrosis factor alpha values during and 1 hour after the operation could be observed compared with results with the Minimax and Lilliput/450 oxygenators. In spite of our randomization protocol, patients in the Lilliput/750 group were significantly smaller and younger than those in the Minimax group. However, the statistical analysis showed no correlation between age and interleukin 6 or tumor necrosis factor alpha values, but it did show a correlation between younger age and the occurrence of capillary leak syndrome. Accordingly, the number of children with clinically complicated course (capillary leak, longer duration of catecholamine therapy, and ventilation) was higher in the Lilliput/750 group than in the Minimax group.


CONCLUSIONS
By using an adequate priming volume, the systemic inflammatory response is similar after use of the Dideco Lilliput 1 Oxygenator and the Medtronic Minimax Oxygenator. Tip-to-tip surface coating of the extracorporeal circulation with either heparin or phosphorylcholine seems to have similar biologic effects in neonates and infants undergoing cardiac surgery.
Böning
Andreas
A
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital, Kiel, Germany. aboening@kielheart.uni-kiel.de
Scheewe
Jens
J
Ivers
Thomas
T
Friedrich
Christine
C
Stieh
Jürgen
J
Freitag
Sandra
S
Cremer
Jochen T
JT
D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D019559:Capillary Leak Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D005112:Extracorporeal Circulation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006493:Heparin; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000097:blood; D010767:Phosphorylcholine; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D006454:Hemoglobins; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D010767:Phosphorylcholine; D006493:Heparin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase