Changes in Arterial-Alveoli Oxygen Gradient During and after Cardiac Surgery in Patients with Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: Disturbance in gas exchange leads to increased ventilation needs, time to stay in the ICU and death. Arterial-alveoli oxygen gradient (A-a) has been studied in adults but has not been considered in children under one year of age who have congenital heart disease and had undergone heart surgery. We decided to examine (A-a) in these patients. Materials and Methods: This study is a retrospective study. Patients were divided into two groups based on mortality. Arterial blood gas information was extracted the post-anesthesia, post-bypass, and 4 hours to 16 hours after surgery. The values (A-a) were calculated using a standard formula. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 14 boys and 9 girls were examined. Among these patients, four girls and three boys died. Arterial-alveolar oxygen gradient changes are similar in the living and the dead (P = 0.508). The mean arterial-alveolar oxygen gradients did not show a significant difference between the alive persons and the dead (P = 0.337). Arterial-alveolar oxygen gradient changes during the time, and this change was statistically significant (P = 0.000). Arterial-alveolar oxygen gradient in cardiac surgery in children under one year of age declines up to 16 hours after surgery. The duration of hospitalization (P = 0.290 (or intubation in the ICU (P = 0.792) does not affect the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient. Conclusion: Arterial-alveolar changes in oxygen in heart surgery in children under one year of age were significant during the time and generally decreased 16 hours after the surgery. There was no statistically significant relationship between the length of hospital stay or intubation in the ICU with the arterial alveolar oxygen gradient.