ISSN : 1301-5680
e-ISSN : 2149-8156
Turkish Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery     
Safety of surgical pulmonary artery catheters in pediatric patients
Ece Salihoğlu1, Mete Gürsoy2, Salih Özçobanoğlu3, Süleyman Özkan1
1Acıbadem Üniversitesi, Kalp ve Damar Cerrahisi Anabilim Dalı, İstanbul, Türkiye
2Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Kalp ve Damar Cerrahisi Kliniği, İstanbul, Türkiye
3Acıbadem International Hastanesi, Kalp ve Damar Cerrahisi Kliniği, İstanbul, Türkiye
DOI : 10.5606/tgkdc.dergisi.2013.7637
Background: This study aims to evaluate the postoperative outcomes of surgical pulmonary artery catheters in pediatric patients and to discuss the safety of these catheters.

Methods: Between January 2010 and June 2012, surgical pulmonary artery catheters were implanted in 55 patients (26 boys, 29 girls; mean age 23.7±7.1 months; range 1 to 70 months). A retrospective analysis of the patients for pathology, age, body weight, pulmonary and systemic arterial pressure, extubation time, catheter removal time, the amount of bleeding, mortality and morbidity was performed.

Results: The mean body weight of the patients was 9.0±2.8 kg. All patients had preoperative pulmonary hypertension which was equal to systemic pressure. Thirtyseven patients received iloprost intravenous infusion via a pulmonary artery catheter. The mean extubation time was 24.5±16.6 hours, while the mean time for pulmonary artery catheter removal was 45.5±19.6 hours. The mean drainage following catheter removal was 23.7±14.4 mL. None of the patients required any revision due to bleeding. No pulmonary artery catheter-related complication was observed in the patients.

Conclusion: Surgical pulmonary artery catheterization is a simple technique which can be used for both continuous pressure monitorization and drug infusion. We conclude that this is a safe and contributing method for an effective management of postoperative pulmonary hypertension in pediatric patients.

Keywords : Cardiac surgery; catheter; congenital heart defect
Viewed : 10730
Downloaded : 2420