Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of alprostadil (Lipo-PGE1) and Ulinastatin on inflammatory response and lung injury after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in pediatric patients with congenital heart diseases.
Methods: 58 children with congenital heart diseases, including atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, and atrioventricular septal defect, scheduled to undergo CPB, aged 4 - 72 months, were randomly divided into 4 groups: alprostadil Group P (n = 15) receiving alprostadil 10 ng/ml added into the prime solution and continuous pump infusion of alprostadil 10 ngxkg(-1)xmin(-1) via central vein until the end of operation, Group U (n = 15) receiving ulinastatin 20 000 U/kg divided into several doses to be added into the prime solution, Group PU (n = 14) receiving alprostadil and ulinastatin according to the above protocols, and Group C (control group, n = 14) receiving normal saline of the equal volume. Electrocardiogram (ECG), heart rate (HR), pulse oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were continuously monitored during operation.