Ultrafiltration Effect on Extravascular Lung Water in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

The anesthesiologist will interview the guardians; examine the patients, checking all routine investigations include: CBC(complete blood count), coagulation profile, liver function tests, renal function tests, blood grouping, chest X-ray, recent echocardiography and angiography if available.

Children will be received Midazolam 0.3 mg/kg IM (intramuscular) and Atropine 0.02 mg/kg IM 10 min as pre-medication before induction.

Induction of anesthesia will be established using fentanyl, 1-5µg/kg, ketamine 1-2 g/kg. Atracurium 0.5mg/kg will be administered to facilitate endotracheal intubation and repeated intraoperative as required to maintain muscle relaxation. Anesthesia will be maintained using sevoflurane 0.3%-2 % in oxygen-air mixture (1:1 ratio). A central venous line will be inserted and arterial line for invasive blood pressure monitoring. The use of inotropes will be guided by the patient's hemodynamics after surgical repair. Dobutamine 5-10 µg/Kg/min, Tridil 1-4 µg/Kg/ min, Adrenaline 0.05µg/kg/min or Milrinone 0.5µg/kg/min will be used according to pathophysiology and Intraoperative state of patient.

In all patients, a median sternotomy will be performed. CPB will be initiated after full heparinization in a dose of 300-400 I.U to achieve a n ACT( activated clotting time) of 450 sec or 3 times baseline reading followed by the standard aorta-bicaval cannulation. A membrane oxygenator (Mini-max Plus; Medtronic Inc., Anaheim, CA) and a non-pulsatile roller pump (model 10.10.00; Stôckert Instruments; Munich, Germany) will be used. Venting of the left heart will be performed with a left atrial vent inserted through a small incision at the interatrial septum. Priming fluids consist of lactated Ringer's solution supplemented with heparin. Fresh whole blood was added to the priming solution in appropriate amounts to achieve a hematocrit of 20% to 22% during CPB ( cardiopulmonary bypass). Moderate hypothermia (26°C to 28°C) will be used during CPB.

After cardiac repair the patient will be weaned from CPB. protamine will be given 3-4 mg/kg to reverse heparin. The control group will not subjected to ultrafiltration and the ultrafiltration group will be subjected to conventional ultrafiltration guided by hematocrit level 28%.

Blood transfusion on bypass will be guided by hemoglobin level in ABG (arterial blood gases) to keep HB% (hemoglobin) above 7mg/dl. Transfusion of blood products will be guided by clinical state of patient.

Assessment of extra vascular lung water busing lung ultrasound. Lung ultrasound will be performed to diagnose EVLW (extravascular lung water). A M. turbo sonosite ultrasound system with pediatric linear probe (frequency 13-6 MHz( megahertz); Fujifilm, sonosite, inc. USA) will be used. Chest ultrasound will be performed using the 12 reg ions method. Intercostals spaces on each side will be examined anteriorly (midclavicular line), laterally (anterior axillary line) and posteriorly (posterior axillary line) (2).

Four ultrasound aeration patterns: a. Normal aeration (N): 0 score ; line sliding sign associated with respiratory movement or less than 3 B lines ; b. Moderate loss of lung aeration: score 1 ; a clear number of multiple visible B-lines with horizontal spacing between adjacent B lines ≤ 7 mm (B7 lines) c. Severe loss of lung aeration: score 2; multiple B lines fused together that were difficult to count with horizontal spacing between adjacent B lines ≤ 3 mm (B3 lines); and d. Pulmonary consolidation: score 3; hypoechoic lung tissue, accompanied by dynamic air bronchogram.

The final LUS (lung ultrasound score) of the patient was the sum of each regional ultrasound score (ranging from 0 to 36).

The lung ultrasound score will be recorded at baseline and at end of surgery. ABGs will be taken to measure p/f ratio. Hemodynamic (HR and MAP) will be recorded.