[Relationship between deep body temperature and hemodynamics in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease]

Relationship of the abdomen-sole deep body temperature difference (DBT) to the hemodynamics was examined in patients with congenital heart disease. Hemodynamic data were obtained by routine cardiac catheter examination, and DBT was measured during the catheterization. Significant positive correlation was found between DBT and systemic-pulmonary flow ratio (Qp/Qs) (r = 0.85, p = 0.001). DBT was maintained below 2 C degrees in almost every patient when the Qp/Qs was less than 2, whereas DBT rose rapidly when the Qp/Qs was more than 2. Furthermore, systemic blood flow and arterial-venous oxygen difference ranged widely within the normal values when DBT was less than 2 C degrees. On the other hand, when DBT was more than 2 C degrees, systemic blood flow and arterial-venous oxygen difference tended to show fixed values which were around the normal upper or lower limits. This means that systemic circulation is marginally adapted when the Qp/Qs is more than 2. The measurement of deep body temperature difference is noninvasive, easy and useful as a circulatory monitor in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease.