Cerebral Oximetry Aids Pediatric Bypass Surgery

In a study of 15 pediatric patients undergoing open heart surgery, measurements of blood oxygenation and hemoglobin volume provided by a cerebral oximeter along with other indices of perfusion showed that regional low flow perfusion greatly reduced the circulatory arrest time required and provided lower body circulatory support as well. The continuing results of the study were presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons in New Orleans (LA, USA).

The technique was developed as an alternative to the need for long periods of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest because of the potential neurologic damage to babies undergoing heart repair surgery. Previously, the use of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was considered unavoidable. Brain injuries have been associated with longer hypothermic circulatory arrest times.

The new technique reduces the need for extreme cooling and complete circulatory arrest, provides more time for the surgeon to complete the procedure, reduces the incidence of organ failure and neurologic injury, and should improve the survival rates of babies undergoing the procedure. The oximeter used in the study was the Invos cerebral oximeter of Somanetics Corp. (Troy, MI, USA).

"Regional low flow perfusion is a safe and simple bypass management technique, and the reduction of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest time required may reduce the risks of cognitive and psychomotor deficits as well as reduce overall mortality and morbidity,” said Dr. Frank A. Pigula, assistant professor of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (PA, USA), who presented the study.



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