Early markers of major adverse events in children after cardiac operations

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the physiologic variables that predict major adverse events in children in the intensive care unit after cardiac operations. Methods: A cohort observational study was conducted. At the time of admission to the intensive care unit and 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours later the following variables were recorded: mean arterial pressure, heart rate, cardiac index, oxygen delivery, mixed venous oxygen saturation, base deficit, blood lactate, gastric intramucosal pH, carbon dioxide difference (the difference between arterial carbon dioxide tension and gastric intraluminal carbon dioxide tension), and toe-core temperature gradient. Major adverse events w..