Oxidative stress response in children undergoing cardiac surgery: Utility of the clearance of isoprostanes.

Abstract

IntroductionCardiac surgery (CS) in pediatric patients induces an overt oxidative stress (OS) response. Children are particularly vulnerable to OS related injury. The immaturity of their organs and antioxidant systems as well as the induction of OS in cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery may have an important impact on outcomes. The purpose of this study was to describe the OS response, measured by urinary free 8-iso-PGF2α, in infants undergoing CS and to evaluate the relationship between OS response and post-operative clinical outcomes.MethodsInfants with congenital heart disease undergoing CS with or without CPB were eligible for enrollment. Children were classified as neonates (ResultsSixty-two patients (60% neonates) were included. Urine 8-iso-PGF2α levels 24 hours after surgery (8.04 [6.4-10.3] ng/mg Cr) were higher than pre-operative levels (5.7 [4.65-7.58] ng/mg Cr) (pConclusionsChildren undergoing CS, particularly neonatal patients, experience a significant post-operative OS response that might play an important role in postoperative morbidity. TGA patients undergoing arterial switch operations demonstrate the highest post-operative OS response. Rapid clearance of isoprostanes, which occurs more frequently in older patients with more mature antioxidant systems, might be associated with better clinical outcomes.