Lung Function after Deep Hypothermic Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Infants

Abstract

There is increasing concern about neurologic injury due to deep hypothermia with low flow during repair of complex congenital heart defects in neonates and infants. Twenty infants with ventricular septal defect and pulmonary hypertension were randomly assigned to cardiac repair under deep hypothermia with circulatory arrest or deep hypothermia with low flow. Measurements of static pulmonary compliance, airway resistance, and respiratory index were performed before institution of cardiopulmonary bypass and at 5 minutes and 2 hours after cessation of cardiopulmonary bypass. Both groups had significant pulmonary dysfunction in terms of static pulmonary compliance, airway resistance, and respiratory index. There was greater impairment of pulmonary compliance and respiratory index after deep hypothermia with low flow, and this group required longer intensive care unit stay.