Comparison of trace element levels after cardiopulmonary bypass between cyanotic and acyanotic patients

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Pediatric Cardiology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Trace elements are vital micronutrients for human health.
• Congenital heart disease (CHD) can impact nutritional status.
• Cardiopulmonary bypass during cardiac surgery may affect trace element levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate serum trace element alterations in children with cyanotic and acyanotic CHD undergoing cardiac surgery.
• To compare trace element levels between patients and healthy controls.
• To assess changes in trace elements before and after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Main Methods:

• Serum levels of copper, chromium, manganese, selenium, magnesium, zinc, iron, arsenic, boron, and silicon were measured.
• Participants included children with acyanotic CHD, cyanotic CHD, and healthy controls.
• Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry was used for analysis.

Main Results:

• Baseline serum arsenic, manganese, and zinc were lower in both CHD groups compared to controls.
• Postoperative serum levels decreased for arsenic, boron, copper, and zinc in both patient groups.
• Postoperative serum iron and magnesium levels increased, and silicon increased in cyanotic patients.

Conclusions:

• Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass significantly alters serum trace element concentrations in children with CHD.
• The direction of alterations was similar in both cyanotic and acyanotic CHD patients.
• Supplementation of copper, zinc, and manganese may be beneficial after on-pump cardiac surgery.