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Plasma catecholamine levels during extracorporeal circulation in children
Canadian Anaesthetists' Society Journal
|March 1, 1982
Summary
Pediatric cardiac surgery significantly elevates plasma catecholamines, with adrenaline levels increasing 34-fold during extracorporeal circulation. These findings confirm elevated stress hormones in children, highlighting greater adrenaline responses compared to adults.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Cardiac operations often involve extracorporeal circulation, a procedure that can induce physiological stress.
- Neuroleptanaesthesia is used in pediatric cardiac surgery, but its effect on catecholamine levels requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations in children undergoing cardiac operations with extracorporeal circulation.
- To compare these concentrations to control values and to findings in adult patients.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from nine children during cardiac surgery.
- Plasma concentrations of adrenaline and noradrenaline were measured.
- Values were compared to pre-operative or non-surgical control levels.
Main Results:
- Plasma adrenaline concentrations increased 34-fold during extracorporeal circulation.
- Plasma noradrenaline concentrations increased 2.2-fold during extracorporeal circulation.
- The increase in plasma catecholamines was significantly greater in pediatric patients compared to reported adult responses.
Conclusions:
- Extracorporeal circulation during pediatric cardiac surgery leads to a substantial increase in plasma catecholamines.
- Pediatric patients exhibit a more pronounced adrenaline response to extracorporeal circulation than adults.
- These findings underscore the significant physiological stress response in children undergoing such procedures.