Central venous-to-arterial CO difference as a biomarker of outcome in children who underwent surgery for congenital heart disease.

Background: In congenital heart surgery, low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) is a major cause of morbidity in the immediate post-operative period. A decrease in cardiac output leads to an increase in tissue oxygen consumption. Several biomarkers such as venous oxygen saturation (SvO), arteriovenous oxygen difference (DavO), and lactate can assess tissue perfusion in the presence of LCOS.

Fluid overload as a predictor of morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients following congenital heart surgery.

Background: Patients undergoing congenital heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass frequently require the administration of intravenous fluids and blood products due to hemodynamic instability. Correctly performed fluid resuscitation can revert the state of tissue hypoperfusion in the different organs. However, excessive fluid administration and acute kidney injury may promote fluid overload (FO) and increase the risk of complications, hospital stay, and mortality.