Introduction:
A link between congenital heart disease and airway ciliary dyskinesia has been identified. Postoperative pulmonary dysfunction is highly prevalent after cardiac surgery and contributes to morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. We hypothesized that respiratory mucociliary clearance (MCC) would be impaired in the immediate postoperative period after infant congenital cardiac surgery.
Methods:
41 infants from 5-254 days old underwent MCC scans using nebulized technetium-99m sulfur colloid either immediate postoperative or later postoperative periods after congenital cardiac surgery. Physiologic variables and medications at the time of scan were recorded.
Results:
There was no significant correlation between MCC and age, gender, race or any of the of the physiologic variables, such as temperature, SpO2, or FiO2, at the time of the MCC scan. MCC was lowest on the first 2 postoperative days, increased at days 3-7, and highest beyond postoperative day 7 (Fig1). Fentanyl (p=0.023) and paralytics agents (p=0.018) were significantly associated with lower MCC, while benzodiazepines (p=0.447) and dexmedetomidine (p=0.675) showed no measurable impact (Table 1).
Conclusion:
We show for the first time, with quantitative measurements, the near absence of infant MCC in the immediate postoperative period after congenital cardiac surgery. This may be exacerbated by opioid exposure, which should be minimized. Our results further suggest sedative alternatives such as benzodiazepines and dexmedetomidine are preferable to help optimize infant airway clearance. This may reduce ICU length of stay and improve outcomes after cardiac surgery.
Innovations in Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery
