Plasma catecholamine levels during extracorporeal circulation in children

Plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations have been measured in nine children undergoing cardiac operations involving extracorporeal circulation under neuroleptanaesthesia. Compared to control values, plasma adrenal increased 34-fold and noradrenaline, 2.2-fold during extracorporeal circulation. The increase in plasma catecholamines reported in adults has been confirmed in these children and changes in plasma adrenaline concentrations during extracorporeal circulation were found to be much greater in paediatric patients.