[Open-heart surgery during deep hypothermia in infancy].

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
• Congenital Heart Defects
• Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest

Context:

• Severe congenital heart defects require early surgical intervention in infants.
• Profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest are critical techniques in complex pediatric cardiac surgery.
• Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) plays a vital role in supporting infants during these procedures.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the outcomes of early total correction for severe congenital heart defects in infants.
• To compare the mortality rates of infants operated with and without extracorporeal circulation (ECC) under profound hypothermia.
• To identify the most common congenital heart defects requiring this surgical approach.

Summary:

• A study of 47 infants with severe congenital heart defects undergoing early total correction using profound hypothermia (22°C) and circulatory arrest.
• Mortality was significantly lower (22%) in infants utilizing extracorporeal circulation (ECC) compared to those operated without ECC (63%).
• Common diagnoses included atrioventricular canal, aortic stenosis, tetralogy of Fallot, ventricular septal defect, and transposition of the great arteries.

Impact:

• The findings highlight the improved survival rates associated with using extracorporeal circulation in infants undergoing complex cardiac surgery.
• This research provides critical data for surgical decision-making in the management of severe congenital heart defects in neonates and infants.
• The study underscores the importance of advanced cardiopulmonary support technologies in pediatric cardiac interventions.