[Simplified surgical procedure for closure of the ductus arteriosus in premature infants].

The necessity of closing a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in a premature neonate is unequivocal. Until 12/86 the PDA was disected and ligated and a chest tube was inserted (127 pts.) Since 1/87 45 pts.

[Surgery of congenital heart defects in deep hypothermic cardiovascular arrest: postoperative renal function].

We investigated early postoperative renal function in 55 consecutive infants who underwent cardiac surgery in deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). In 15 of these patients detailed studies of glomerular and tubular function of the kidneys were performed. Mean time of circulatory arrest at 20 degrees Celsius rectal temperature was 53 +/- 15 minutes.

[Determination of brain death in children: 99mTc-HM-PAO and 123(I)-amphetamine scintigraphy as a new, noninvasive method].

In comatose children and infants, clinical signs of brain death and EEG monitoring may be of limited value, whilst determination of cerebral blood flow can provide more direct information. Beside radionuclide bolus angiography of polar radiopharmaceuticals with sequential technique, two radioisotopes are introduced as suited for static brain images. Injection of 123I-amphetamine or 99mTc labelled lipophilic complex HM-PAO into the peripheral venous circulation enables a precise static imaging of parenchymatous brain perfusion and cellular function so that critical deficits or complete loss of cerebral perfusion can be readily documented.