Cardiac Biomarkers of Low Cardiac Output Syndrome in the Postoperative Period After Congenital Heart Disease Surgery in Children.

Introduction And Objectives: To assess the predictive value of atrial natriuretic peptide, β-type natriuretic peptide, copeptin, mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) and cardiac troponin I (cTn-I) as indicators of low cardiac output syndrome in children with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods: After corrective surgery for congenital heart disease under CPB, 117 children (aged 10 days to 180 months) were enrolled in a prospective observational pilot study during a 2-year period. The patients were classified according to whether they developed low cardiac output syndrome.

Lung recruitment manoeuvres do not cause haemodynamic instability or oxidative stress but improve oxygenation and lung mechanics in a newborn animal model: an observational study.

Background: Lung recruitment manoeuvres in neonates during anaesthesia are not performed routinely due to concerns about causing barotrauma, haemodynamic instability and oxidative stress.

Objective: To assess the influence of recruitment manoeuvres and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on haemodynamics, oxidative stress, oxygenation and lung mechanics.

Design: A prospective experimental study.

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis in early childhood: favorable outcome after aggressive treatment.

Objective: To report a case of descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM), an unusual illness in childhood that develops as a complication of oropharyngeal infection.

Design: Descriptive case report.

Setting: Pediatric intensive care unit.