Octreotide efficacy in the treatment of chylothoraces following cardiac surgery in infants and children.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the efficacy of octreotide in resolving chylothoraces in infants and children following cardiac surgery.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
Pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care center.


METHODS
All children who received octreotide for the treatment of chylothoraces following surgery for congenital heart disease over a 30-month period between 2001-2004.


METHODS
Octreotide infusion.


RESULTS
Eight courses of octreotide treatment were identified in seven patients who met our inclusion criteria. The median duration of therapy was 5 days, and dosing ranged from 1 to 4 microg/kg/hr. Treatment did not result in an overall decrease in average chest tube output after 3 days of therapy. However, in two patients (29%) the chylothoraces ultimately resolved during the octreotide infusion. Treatment was well tolerated, and no serious side effects were noted.


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to previously published reports, we find octreotide therapy for postoperative chylothoraces to be successful in only a minority of cases.
Department of Internal Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA.
Maple T
MT
Landvoigt
Charles J
CJ
Mullett
D002916:Chylothorax / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D015282:Octreotide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D015282:Octreotide