Abstract

MARCANO SANZ, Luis et al. Normothermia during extracorporeal circulation in pediatric cardiovascular surgery. Rev Cubana Cir [online]. 2012, vol.51, n.1, pp. 24-33. ISSN 0034-7493.

Introduction: the normothermia extracorporeal circulation in pediatrics was started by Lecompte in 1995. The European reports are large series of cases and few controlled studies. Objective: to assess the use of the normothermia as a protecting method of the organs during the extracorporeal circulation in children, trying to obtain a higher level of medical evidence to its introduction in all the work universe. Methods: a prospective, controlled and explanatory study was conducted in 100 patients aged between 30 days and 18 years randomized distributed to assess the normothermia during the extracorporeal circulation. In the normothermia (n= 45) we used a 36º C temperature, hematocrit higher than 30 % and a 2.8 to 3.5 L/min/m² perfusion flow. In hypothermia (n= 55), hematocrit from 25 to 30 % and perfusion flow of 2.2 to 2.8 L/min/m². Results: both groups were homogenous in age, weight and risk fitted for cardiac surgery. The inotropic rates and of bleeding, frequency of the low cardiac output, times of the extracorporeal circulation, mechanical ventilation and os the stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) were significantly lower with normothermia. The relative risk of low cardiac output was of 2.62 with the use of hypothermia. The absolute reduction of risk for such complication, using normothermia was of 18 %. Conclusions: the normothermia during extracorporeal circulation in pediatrics is more sage and effective than the hypothermia. The normothermia cardiopulmonary shunt is perfectly feasible and the need of to convert in hypothermia is not frequent.

Keywords : surgery; extracorporeal circulation; perfusion.