title: Serial plasma BNP levels in assessing inadequate left ventricular decompression on ECMO.
abstract: We describe a female infant with complex single ventricle physiology who had undergone median sternotomy for placement of a right-sided systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt, division of a patent ductus arteriosus, and left pulmonary artery augmentation. Her early postoperative course was complicated by cardiac arrest requiring institution of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. The brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels acutely improved after left ventricular decompression by insertion of a left atrial cannula. In this setting BNP levels may be an indicator of left ventricular stretch and are potentially a useful index to monitor left ventricular distension.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Cardiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, 6621 Fannin Street, MC WT 19345-C, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. chfalkensammer@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Christine B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Falkensammer
authors.forename: Jeffrey S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Heinle
authors.forename: Anthony C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain