The Hemodynamic Effects of Protamine in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Pulmonary Artery Reconstruction and

Xi Li1, Zhe Amy Fang2, M Michael Andrew Lennig1

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA; Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA.

Insights

Protamine administration slightly increased pulmonary artery pressures (PAPs) in pediatric patients after heart surgery. Co-administration with calcium did not further elevate PAPs.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
  • Anesthesiology

Background:

  • Pulmonary artery reconstruction and unifocalization are complex pediatric cardiac surgeries.
  • Protamine is used to reverse heparin anticoagulation after cardiopulmonary bypass.
  • The effect of protamine on pulmonary artery pressures (PAPs) in this specific surgical context requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if protamine administration increases PAPs in patients undergoing unifocalization or pulmonary artery reconstruction.
  • To assess the impact of calcium co-administration on protamine-induced changes in PAPs.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective database study at a pediatric heart center.
  • Included patients undergoing pulmonary artery reconstruction or unifocalization.
  • Analyzed changes in PAPs following protamine administration, with and without calcium, using data from Stanford University's repository.

Main Results:

  • Protamine administration resulted in a statistically significant increase in PAPs post-cardiopulmonary bypass.
  • PAPs were significantly higher at 2, 5, and 10 minutes after protamine bolus compared to baseline.
  • Coadministration with calcium also increased PAPs, but did not result in a greater increase than protamine alone.

Conclusions:

  • Protamine administration causes a modest increase in PAPs in pediatric patients undergoing complex cardiac surgeries.
  • Calcium co-administration does not potentiate the increase in PAPs induced by protamine in this population.
Abstract