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Published on: June 11, 2012

Hyperglycemia is a marker for poor outcome in the postoperative pediatric cardiac patient

Andrew R Yates1, Peter C Dyke, Roozbeh Taeed

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43205-2696, USA. yatesa@pediatrics.ohio-state.edu

Pediatric Critical Care Medicine : a Journal of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies
|June 2, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Postoperative hyperglycemia in pediatric cardiac surgery patients is linked to worse outcomes, including longer hospital stays and increased mortality. Strict blood sugar control may be beneficial for these young patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
  • Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Hyperglycemia is a known risk factor for morbidity and mortality in critical care.
  • Limited data exist regarding hyperglycemia in postoperative pediatric cardiac patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the association between postoperative hyperglycemia and increased morbidity or mortality in pediatric cardiac surgery patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of 184 pediatric patients (<1 year) undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.
  • Exclusion criteria included low weight, diabetes, preoperative ECMO, transplant, and renal/liver insufficiency.

Main Results:

  • Longer duration of hyperglycemia correlated with renal/liver insufficiency, infection, CNS events, ECMO use, and death.
  • Hyperglycemia was associated with increased intensive care and hospital stay, and longer ventilator use.
  • Peak glucose levels differed significantly in patients with renal insufficiency, infection, CNS events, and mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Postoperative hyperglycemia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in pediatric cardiac surgery patients.
  • Strict glycemic control may improve outcomes in this vulnerable population.
Abstract

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