Hyperlactataemia Following Crystalloid Cardiopulmonary Bypass Priming in Paediatric Cardiac Surgery-Benign or Malignant? A Retrospective Study.

Background: Various mechanisms leading to early hyperlactataemia post-cardiac surgery have been postulated. Specifically, in the paediatric population, benign early hyperlactataemia may be associated with crystalloid priming in the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit. The aim of this study was to review paediatric patients who had crystalloid prime and assess their outcomes.

Subperiosteal Orbital Hematoma From SVC Occlusion During Cardiac Surgery: To See or Not to See.

We present a case in which the superior vena cava (SVC) cannula was inadvertently clamped for a short while during cardiopulmonary bypass, completely occluding SVC drainage. This resulted in a rarely seen complication - bilateral subperiosteal orbital hematomas causing orbital compartment syndrome. Other instances of intentional SVC occlusion include during the creation of a bidirectional cavo-pulmonary shunt and for emergency control of bleeding during thoracic surgery.

Where are we after 50 years of the Fontan operation?

First introduced in 1971, the Fontan procedure is the final common destination for all patients with a functional single ventricle. The procedure itself has evolved tremendously over the last five decades. This review traces this journey and presents the importance, outcomes and future outlook of the procedure in the current era.

Universal implantation of temporary epicardial pacing wires after surgery for congenital heart disease: necessity or luxury?

Objectives: Routine implantation of temporary epicardial pacing wires after surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD) has recently been questioned. We evaluated the incidence of arrhythmias, arrhythmias causing haemodynamic compromise and the safety of a strategy of selective implantation of pacing wires in our unit.

Methods: All patients who underwent surgery for CHD using cardiopulmonary bypass between September 2015 and December 2016 were retrospectively enrolled in the study (n = 313).