Effects of pulmonary perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass on lung functions after cardiac operation

Background Pulmonary artery perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a known but rarely used technique in adult cardiac surgery. In this study, we aimed to investigate biochemical and histopathological effects of pulmonary artery perfusion during CPB on lung functions. Methods Between May 2014 and August 2014, all patients (n = 24) who gave informed consent for participating this study with inclusion criteria were included. Patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting were sequentially randomized to conventional CPB (control group, n = 12) and conventional CPB with selective pulmonary artery perfusion (study group, n = 12). Lung functions were monitored using PF ratio, alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, and lactate levels. A small sample tissue from the left lung was excised for histopathologic examination. Immunocytochemistry analysis was performed using anti-rabbit polyclonal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), rabbit polyclonal inducible nitric oxide synthase (i-NOS), and BCL-2 antibodies. Results Postoperative course of the patients were uneventful without any clinical outcome differences in terms of cardiopulmonary complications, ventilation time and hospital stay. Pulmonary perfusion group had significantly better oxygenation values after extubation and at postoperative 24-hour. Electron microscopy examinations revealed better preservation of the alveolar wall integrity with pulmonary perfusion. The intensity of VEGF, i-NOS, and BCL-2 antibody expressions in bronchial epithelial cells were more prominent in the pulmonary perfusion group. Conclusions Pulmonary artery perfusion during aortic cross-clamping provides better oxygenation and preservation of the wall alveolar integrity after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. This technique can be used as a protective strategy to minimize CPB-induced lung injury in adult cardiac surgery

The use of dornase alpha for post-operative pulmonary atelectasis after congenital heart surgery

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of dornase alpha, a mucolytic agent, in children who developed pulmonary atelectasis after congenital heart surgery. Design: Retrospective case-control study. Setting: Paediatric cardiac intensive care unit at a tertiary care hospital. Patients: Between July, 2011 and July, 2012, 41 patients who underwent congenital cardiac operations and developed post-operative pulmonary atelectasis that was resistant to conventional treatment and chest physiotherapy. Interventions: In all, 26 patients received dornase alpha treatment. As a control group, 15 patients were treated with conventional medications and chest physiotherapy. Main results: The median age of patients was 25.5 (3-480) days in the study group and 50.0 (3-480) days in the control group. A total of 15 (57.6%) patients in the study group and 8 (53.3%) patients in the control group were male. The median weight was 4.2 (2.9-14.2) kg and 4.0 (3.5-13.6) kg in the study and control group, respectively. In the study group, pulmonary atelectasis was diagnosed at a median period of 5 (2-18) days after operations, whereas in the control group atelectasis was diagnosed at a median period of post-operative 6 (3-19) days. In the study group, the median atelectasis score decreased from 3.4 (1-6) to 0.8 (0-3) (p = 0.001). The median pO(2) level increased from 69 (17-142) mmHg to 89 (30-168) mmHg (p = 0.04). In addition, heart rate and respiratory rate per minute were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in these parameters in the control group. Conclusions: The use of dornase alpha can be effective for the management of pulmonary atelectasis that develops following congenital heart surgery