[The predictive value of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels on outcome in children with pulmonary hypertension undergoing congenital heart surgery].

Background And Objectives: In children undergoing congenital heart surgery, plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels may have a role in development of low cardiac output syndrome that is defined as a combination of clinical findings and interventions to augment cardiac output in children with pulmonary hypertension.

Methods: In a prospective observational study, fifty-one children undergoing congenital heart surgery with preoperative echocardiographic study showing pulmonary hypertension were enrolled. The plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels were collected before operation, 12, 24 and 48h after operation.

Levosimendan improves renal outcome in cardiac surgery: a randomized trial.

Objective: The effect of levosimendan on renal function in patients with low ejection fraction undergoing mitral valve surgery was investigated.

Design: A prospective, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial.

Setting: Tertiary teaching and research hospital.