Increasing the antioxidative capacity of neonatal cardiopulmonary bypass prime solution: an in vitro study.

Inflammation and oxidative damage are believed to play an important role in the postoperative complications after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in neonates. During the preparation of the prime, red blood cells (RBCs) release non-protein-bound iron (NPBI) and free haemoglobin/haem (Hb/haem). The presence of these prooxidants in the prime solution may increase oxidative stress in neonates undergoing CPB.

Prime solutions for cardiopulmonary bypass in neonates: antioxidant capacity of prime based on albumin or fresh frozen plasma.

Objective: Oxidative damage and inflammation are believed to play an important role in postoperative complications after cardiopulmonary bypass. During bypass, a prime solution with a high antioxidant capacity may reduce the oxidative damage and inflammation. We investigated total antioxidant capacity and individual scavengers during the preparation of 2 different prime solutions.

Cerebral blood flow velocity wave form as an indicator of neonatal left ventricular heart function.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between cerebral blood flow velocity wave form (CBFV-WF) parameters and myocardial contractility indices in healthy and sick preterm and term newborns.

Methods: Total group of 82 babies was divided into four subgroups: prematures with gestational age <34 weeks with (n=20) and without (n=14) respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and infants with gestational age of >33 weeks with (n=18) and without (n=30) asphyxia. On day 1, 2, 3, 6 and 14, the acceleration time, Q(ECG)-peak(flow) time and preejection period of CBFV-WF (internal carotid artery) were measured through the anterior fontanel by Doppler ultrasonography.

A regionalized perinatal continuing education programme: successful adaptation to a foreign health care system and language.

Much of the decline in perinatal mortality over the past two decades in the United States has been attributed to regionalization of perinatal care. Outreach education from regional medical centres to community hospitals is an essential component of regionalization. The Perinatal Continuing Education Program (PCEP) has been successfully used for outreach education in more than 30 states since 1979.