title: Single Dose Corticosteroid Therapy After Surgical Repair of Fallot's Tetralogy; A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inflammatory reaction can produce several complications after cardiac surgery. Many attempts have been made to reduce these complications; perioperative corticosteroid therapy is one of the simplest methods.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We conducted a randomized study to evaluate the efficacy of single dose methylprednisolone, prescribed after surgery, for reducing the complications. Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot was chosen as a homogenous large group for the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred children who underwent total repair of Tetralogy of Fallot were enrolled in this study. After the surgery, all patients were transferred to pediatric ICU and were randomized (in a double-blind fashion) in 2 groups (A and B); a single dose of methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg of body weight) was injected to participants of group "A" just at the time of ICU entrance. Group "B" received no drug. Then, clinical outcomes and laboratory data were compared between the two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The only significant differences were lower incidence of bacteremia and higher incidence of hyperglycemia in the group who were used methylprednisolone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using a single postsurgical dose of methylprednisolone does not significantly alter the clinical outcome after repairing Tetralogy of Fallot.
authors: Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Dalili
authors: Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Ahmad
authors: A
authors: Vesal
authors: Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Avisa
authors: A
authors: Tabib
authors: Echocardiography Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Leila
authors: L
authors: Khani-Tafti
authors: Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Shirin
authors: S
authors: Hosseini
authors: Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Ziae
authors: Z
authors: Totonchi
keywords: Cardiac Surgery; Congenital; Corticosteroid; Heart Disease; Tetralogy of Fallot